To be a reactionary in America means to find oneself in conflict with “conservatives” as often as with elements of the left. In particular there is issue with the libertarian branch of conservatism, both culturally and politically within the Republican Party and the Tea Party movement. At particular issue is what is often an extreme version of individualism that is found in the speeches and implications of policy from those branches of conservatism.
Of course this creates problems for those of a reactionary bent in that we do not wish to find ourselves in conflict with those who should be our natural allies. The problem is that this individualist attitude, particularly as expressed by libertarians, is of a nature that we traditionalists see a great danger in it. Most often it is expressed as a desire to have the government stay out of our individual lives and decision making. This is tied to the notion of a smaller, less intrusive government and a lessening of regulation in business and personal matters. The most prominent spokesman for this is of course Ron Paul. Radio talk show host Neil Boortz is a well known voice as a libertarian as well. If it went no further than that, little could be found to fault the libertarian view.
Yet they insist, or seem to, on going further. Libertarians insist not only that government get out of their lives, but that individual liberty has no limits. (Or virtually none) They pay lip service to the idea that one’s rights should not trample on those of another. They do not however allow that their community or society around them can lay any claim to limit liberty for the good of a common culture. The idea espoused by libertarians that it is the decision making ability of the individual that is supreme is not only dangerous in the long run, it is unhistorical.
Humanity is unthinkable without society. Society by its nature involves law and government of some form or another. It may be a formal written system with a constitution. It could just as easily be a series of understood and adhered to customs that govern the actions and reactions of men within a community. This is absolutely essential not only for order and peace among people, but to generate the very civilized goods that we value as human beings. Invention, teaching, religion, medicine, the arts, all the things to be appreciated by societies that rise above mere barbarism are the product of restrictions on the liberty of the individual in order to bring greater gifts to the people as a whole.
Now, this very idea will be attacked by some libertarians as socialism. This is an overreaction. Libertarians tend to see all government as a Bourbon King, or Soviet Commissar. Reactionaries do not doubt that government coercion can become oppressive and destructive. That is why we insist that all government acts be methodical and prescriptive. They should address specific issues in specific times and places. Government is no place for ideology.
I for one would dread to live in a society in which the individual was as “free” as many libertarians wish they were. Soon, the idea that any behavior which is not completely insane should be permissible, would make that society unworkable. Any government or authority would be under constant attack as an oppressive force. The extremism of the French Revolution would be the logical outcome of attempting to set up a society based on libertarian lines. Just as government must be limited; human liberty too must have its limits.
C.L. Ingram
American Reactionary 