Voting & Elections

Both major parties seem to view the loss of any election as an illegitimate outcome. As such, they govern as though one‐​party rule was in the cards–and end up handing expanded state powers to their political enemies.

Sanders’ frontrunner status is a symptom of the devolution of the Democratic Party. Collective action problems could produce Sanders 2020 just like they did Trump 2016.

Donald Trump is a symptom and not the cause of the decline of the Republican Party.

Smith discusses some circumstances that led to the formation of the abolitionist Liberty Party in 1840.

There’s a long history of libertarian thought on the ethics and efficacy of voting.

Tucker advised anarchists to stay away from both ballot boxes and cartridge boxes. Using force only ever causes more trouble and weakens liberty.

Celebrity candidates have built‐​in name recognition, but offer little in the way of actual qualification for office.

Smith discusses the split in the American Anti‐​Slavery Society over voting, equal rights for women, and other causes.

It’s not worth getting your hands dirty to do something so ineffective.

Voting takes more out of us than a simple trip to the polls.

“The Libertarian Party is a vital organ of the libertarian movement, even if it never elects anyone to major office.”

We reject the idea that some people are born superior to others, with a right to rule them. What, then, if anything, justifies a state’s power over its citizens?

Dale reviews Berg’s Liberty, Equality & Democracy and discusses how some people think they should rule over others “for their own good.”

When it comes to checking tyranny, the jury box beats the ballot box.

Removing yourself from the election process eliminates the largest incentive for politicians to care what you and those like you believe.