What is Your Political Philosophy

[EgoRaptor]

I'm in a really similar boat to you, except for the part about growing up conservative. I like libertarian arguments but I think that they don't really apply in real life. The problem I have with libertarians is the same problem I have with many leftists, too much idealism and not enough thought. Yeah, it would be nice if things worked that way but it doesn't match reality. That's why I actually prefer the much less popular label of conservative over the trendy, slightly douchey label of libertarian. Plus I'm way more Barry Goldwater than Ron Paul.

Being a libertarian requires at least a basic understanding of economics. I recommend "The Law" by Frederic Bastiat and "Economics in One Lesson" by Henry Hazlitt. We aren't pie in the sky; libertarianism is founded upon some of the most robust theories of purposeful behavior ever devised.

And Austrian economics. I can at least respect some libertarians like Friedman, but Austrian economics is pure crankery.