Friedrich August von Hayek Quote

"In the United States, where it has become almost impossible to use "liberal" in the sense in which I have used it, the term "libertarian" has been used instead. It may be the answer; but for my part I find it singularly unattractive. For my taste it carries too much the flavor of a manufactured term and of a substitute. What I should want is a word which describes the party of life, the party that favors free growth and spontaneous evolution. But I have racked my brain unsuccessfully to find a descriptive term which commends itself."

by:	Friedrich August von Hayek (1899-1992), Nobel Laureate of Economic Sciences 1974
Source:	"Why I Am Not a Conservative," postcript to The Constitution of Liberty [1960] (Chicago: Henry Regnery, 1972)
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Categories:	Conservatism, Liberalism, Politics
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Libertarian is a fine word for opposite of liberal. The ones in government who call themselves conservative seem more like Republicrats.  -- cal, Lewisville, tx      1
Very interesting individual, Hayek. We find our selves ever moving toward Epistemology. Liking to James Frederick Ferrier, being an Intuitionist. I to concur with his outcome. There is indeed ( Asymmetry ) God does exist . Mathematicians, economist, musicians, closely cohabitate. In the law ( Biblical ) it is written, Thou shalt not uncover your Mother or Fathers nakedness. That is not to say that it does not exist. For it can be seen. Not always shared.  -- Ronw13, Yachats Or      1
-- Robert, St. Emilion, France
Hayek here is referring to 'liberalism' in the classical sense, not the current 'progressive' sense. Since the liberals have been co-opted by the socialists, Liberty is left to the Conservative to defend, but unfortunately the nature of conservatives is to 'control' and instill 'order' -- to such an extent, freedom is relegated to simply 'following' and 'obeying.' So those that neither fit into the liberal or conservative mold are generally called Libertarians since they value Liberty above control and regulation -- they trust in the Natural Order based on Natural Law, which is often in conflict with legislative dictates. Libertarians are the true centrists.  -- E Archer, NYC      1
We hold this truth to be self evident. The late 1700s use of liberal is far, FAR different than it is now. Now to be liberal describes varying shades of enslaving communism. Conservative is simply those that want to conserve varying shades of enslaving fascism. Socialism is well represented in the differing shades of liberal and conservatism. What started out as a Libertarian movement has mostly been usurped by the powers that be. Individual sovereignty, inalienable rights and liberty at nature's law is not present in any of the three titles.  -- Mike,, Norwalk      1
The problem with Mr von Hayek's conceptualization is the term party. To find spontaneity and growth more specified terms must be incorporated such as community in association with individual, and/or vis versa. The party has a divisive connotation, no wonder why the racking of the brain. Growth and accompanying spontaneity must be universally inclusive.  -- Fredrick William Sillik, Anytown      1

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