Left Libertarians

Joshua Cohen probes the similarities and distinctions between liberals and libertarians. Money quote:

We egalitarian liberals are concerned about equalitypolitical equality, equality of opportunity, equality of resourcesin ways that classical liberals are not. But the disagreement also sounds in our positive views about politics, society, and markets: we don’t think that politics is a disaster waiting to happen. Friedman says “equality comes sharply into conflict with freedom; one must choose. One cannot be both an egalitarian...and a liberal.” We disagree. We think it is right to be both, and that it is possible to be both, without being nae.

As a libertarian-leaning Tory, I don't think it's fair to say I think politics is always a disaster. It is, rather, a necessary if unpleasant duty. And inequality of outcome seems to me simply a fact about being human. I suspect any serious attempt to change that systematically, although I don't mind pragmatic efforts to ameliorate extremes of inequality that can endanger social stability. But yes, in general, I want to keep politics at bay and in the service of private life. I find the whole civic enterprise creepy at worst and a little too uplifting at best. But we can all agree that we should legalize soft drugs, be much more prudent in foreign affairs, and enjoy the diverse culture of modern life.