Constanza Mazzina says that perhaps the question that helps to differentiate them is what role they expect the state to play and if in any case there is no state, how social coexistence is organized.
Conservatives, liberals, libertarians: what differences matter? Barrio. La Razón
In his famous essay “Why I Am Not a Conservative,” Hayek defends the liberal principles of individual liberty, free market economics, and the importance of law and justice, and criticizes conservatism for its aversion to innovation and tendency toward collectivism. Hayek criticizes conservative aversion to innovation and change, arguing that liberals should be open to new ideas and solutions. If anything, tradition should be seen as a starting point for innovation and progress. For Hayek, tradition should not be seen as something sacred and immutable, but as a set of practices and beliefs that have been tested and refined over time. However, this does not mean that tradition should be preserved at all costs and even less that it should be preserved by the state. Hayek argues that liberals should be willing to question and revise tradition when necessary, and to incorporate new ideas and perspectives to the extent that they are useful and relevant.
Hayek defends individualism and individual freedom, arguing that these are the fundamental principles of liberal philosophy. According to Hayek, individuals should be free to make their own decisions and pursue their own goals, as long as they do not harm others.
Hayek criticizes nationalism and racism, arguing that these are incompatible with the liberal principles of freedom and equality. According to Hayek, nationalism and racism can lead to discrimination and oppression of certain groups and can be used to justify violence and aggression against other countries or cultures. And here is a point that should not be forgotten and is key to the liberal tradition, Hayek defends the idea of world citizenship and international cooperation, arguing that these are essential for peace and prosperity in a globalized world. Hayek argues that liberals should be committed to the defense of human rights and the promotion of tolerance and understanding between different cultures and nationalities.
On the other hand, Hayek stresses the importance of law and justice in a free society, arguing that these are essential for the protection of individual rights and the promotion of social cooperation. According to Hayek, law and justice must be based on universal and impersonal principles, rather than on arbitrariness and caprice.
In contrast to the conservative tradition, Hayek criticizes the idea that the state should have an active role in regulating morality, arguing that this can lead to oppression and tyranny. Hayek argues that morality should be a matter of individual conscience and personal responsibility, rather than being imposed by the state. Therefore, the liberal distrusts the state that wants to meddle in his daily life and advocates a state with limited functions and an accountable and transparent exercise of power.
Now, what distinguishes liberals from libertarians? As with conservatism, the role of the state, i.e., state intervention: liberals are willing to accept greater state intervention in areas such as education, health and social security, as long as it is done efficiently and fairly. Libertarians, on the other hand, oppose almost any form of state intervention and believe that society should solve these problems privately. Libertarians see the state as an entity that should protect individual rights and promote justice as equality before the law. Libertarians see the state as an entity that uses coercion and violence to achieve its goals. According to this perspective, the state is an institution that relies on force and intimidation, rather than cooperation and voluntary consent.
Synthetically, liberals are willing to accept greater state intervention and regulation in specific areas, as long as it is done in a fair and efficient manner. Libertarians, on the other hand, oppose almost any form of state intervention and regulation, and believe that society should solve its problems privately. From the libertarian perspective, the state and taxation are seen as a threat to individual liberty and private property. According to this perspective, taxes are a form of coercion, as citizens are forced to pay them under threat of violence or imprisonment.
So, these traditions, which are often categorized within a package called “the right,” must be carefully differentiated. The liberal is not a conservative any more than he is a libertarian. The question that helps to differentiate them is what role they expect the state to play, what role they assign to the state, and if there is no state, how social coexistence is organized.
This article was originally published in Spanish in La Razón.
