What is libertarianism?

A while ago, after the Libertarian Party's Chris Mounsey was obliged to apologize for one of his profane postings by Andrew Neil on the BBC's usually childish This Week programme, I dropped Mounsey's blog (Devil's Kitchen, renamed Devil's Knife after the public apology) from my reader. For the apology, not for the original vehemence. Feel I should reinstate it after reading the text of what Mounsey contributed to a Voices of Freedom debate at the Institute of Economic Affairs, which is an eloquent expression of what "libertarian" means to me.

The liberal torch is not carried by the LibDems, or any other politicos; nor is it carried by the elite who form part of the state-perpetuating establishment - all of whom are like big children playing house, putting on airs of supreme importance and throwing their weight around as if the actions of government are the most significant and serious actions of all.

It's the actions of regular people that are the most significant, serious, and worthy of respect, and they don't deserve to be treated like dolls when, in reality, the only truly and moral libertarian proposition is that they should be masters of themselves.

They did so in the past, and their aspirations were crushed by corporate whores and political shills: and in removing the ability of people to organise themselves, these evil people also removed the desire for them to try. It is this that has led to our "broken society" - the cynical ambitions of the vested interests, backed up by the monopoly of violence that a corrupt and venal state willingly brought to bear upon its people.