By Kody Fairfield
Earlier today, The Libertarian Republic published an article that libertarian-leaning Republican Sen. Rand Paul, and progressive Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders came together to vote on an amendment which would open the prescription drug market in the US to Canadian drugs. The two staunchly opposed Senators proved that libertarians and progressives can indeed find common ground to work on (at least once), but are there other areas of overlap?
Yes, indeed there are many areas of common ground, though each ideology has their own prescription to fix the ailment.
Here are 4 commonalities between Libertarians and Progressives.
1. Foreign Policy- Diplomacy
Generally, both progressives and libertarians believe that the United States Government has spent far too much time intervening in foreign affairs, particularly in the Middle East. Whether is was the Iraq War and overthrow of Saddam Hussein, Hillary Clinton’s war in Libya, or our current involvement with rebel movements involved in the Syrian Civil War, progressives and libertarian minds have been calling for a more non-interventionist, “take care of home” foreign policy. Both ideologies argue for more diplomatic approaches and war as a last resort.
“The test of a great and powerful nation is not how many wars it can engage in, but how it can resolve international conflicts in a peaceful manner.” – Bernie Sanders
Sen. Paul speaks to diplomacy during a GOP primary debate from 2015.
2. Criminal Justice Reform
Criminal justice reform is another place for common ground between libertarians and progressives. Both movements believe in the saying that is inscribed on the building which houses the Supreme Court of the United States: “equal justice under law.” No matter your race, religion, creed or crime, every citizen should be seen with the assumption of innocence, until proven guilty, according to the two sides.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) has spoken on our broken criminal justice system many times, and she often uses the SCOTUS building quote to open her addresses to Congress on the matter. Listen to her below.
Listen to Sen. Paul also speak to the need for criminal justice reform.
3. The War On Drugs- Marijuana Legalization
For a long time, the often polar-opposite ideologies of libertarianism and progressivism have found common ground in their views of the War On Drugs. Both sides agree that prohibition and criminal records for drug use do nothing to solve the crisis. In 2011, libertarian Republican Rep. Ron Paul and progressive Democrat Rep. Barney Frank worked together on a bill to end the federal prohibition on marijuana.
See Paul’s explanation of the bill below.
4. Both Sides Fight the Establishment
Both libertarians and progressives have waged war on the establishment political class. Both ideologies scratch at the power grab in Washington D.C. by career politicians and hope to return a voice to the People. Even though each group’s remedy for the issue may be different, it is a cornerstone issue in both movements.
When Sen. Rand Paul announced his presidential run, his slogan became “Defeat the Washington Machine.”
Sen. Bernie Sanders also railed against the “establishment” types during his presidential run. Watch below.
