I don’t know where you’ve been finding this argument but it’s hardly representative of a good argument for libertarianism. I grew up in Europe (well, the UK, which is kind of Europe) [...]
FYI, “Libertarianism” apparently means something different in the United States than it does elsewhere. This comes from a friend who is currently majoring in Political Science. He claims that “true libertarians would just laugh at American libertarians.” I do not know exactly what that means or give any more information, but it sounded relevant to the discussion.
In France at least, “Libertarians” (“Libertaires”) are traditionally left-wing anarchists, US-style Liberterians would be what we call “Liberals” (“Liberaux”), though it seems recently some started calling themselves “liberaux-libertaires”.
I hadn’t heard the term in the UK before encountering it in discussions with American libertarians online. I believe Classical Liberalism would be the closest term commonly (though not very commonly any more) used in the UK.
FYI, “Libertarianism” apparently means something different in the United States than it does elsewhere. This comes from a friend who is currently majoring in Political Science. He claims that “true libertarians would just laugh at American libertarians.” I do not know exactly what that means or give any more information, but it sounded relevant to the discussion.
In France at least, “Libertarians” (“Libertaires”) are traditionally left-wing anarchists, US-style Liberterians would be what we call “Liberals” (“Liberaux”), though it seems recently some started calling themselves “liberaux-libertaires”.
I hadn’t heard the term in the UK before encountering it in discussions with American libertarians online. I believe Classical Liberalism would be the closest term commonly (though not very commonly any more) used in the UK.