libertarianism and the Iraq war

Link: The Volokh Conspiracy - -.

Randy Barnett wrote in some detail about libertarians and the war in Iraq and why not all libertarians agree with Ron Paul's hard line stance.

Part of the problem is that libertarians tend to be individualistic which make the "Libertarian Party" somewhat of an oxymoron.  So here's my 2cents worth.

1) the sole purpose of the State should be to facilitate dealings between individuals of the state, and to facilitate dealings with foreign governments.
2) if any individual or individuals are attacked by a foreign government or agent of a foreign government then the state needs to act on our behalf as if it (the state) were an individual.
3) The "War on Terrorism" is a logical derivative of statement 2.
4) The "War in Iraq" should have been a logical derivative of statement 3 however it was not presented that way by George Bush and company.
5)  Although the "War in Iraq" was not presented as part of the "War on Terrorism" it has de facto become a logical extension of that war.
6)  The military forces currently at war are volunteers and therefore acting for the state on behalf of all the individuals of the state.
7)  The "War in Iraq" is therefore justified under libertarian principles as self defense.

But then that's my opinion.  YMMV.

Comments

[QofD]

Hey, thanks for visiting my blog.

I have to tell you, I am so thrilled to see another sea of libertarian tranquility on the net. I am definitely adding you to ye olde blogroll and throwing you into the blog reader.

I love this place!

[David, Chandler, AZ]

Thanks for coming by QofD. I will gladly return the favor.

[Mich]

Who would have imagined in 1952 that some 30-40 years on, South Korea would be mafrtacnuuing and exporting cars? Iraq will go from a net importer of terrorists to an exporter of what in 20-40 years? Certainly food. Brainpower perhaps?