College libertarians: Difference between revisions
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*[http://www.angelfire.com/pa/sergeman/links/political/college/main.html College and University Libertarian Organizations] | *[http://www.angelfire.com/pa/sergeman/links/political/college/main.html College and University Libertarian Organizations] | ||
*[http://www.libertarianfreedomcouncil.org/studentcontacts.htm Libertarian Freedom Council contacts] | *[http://www.libertarianfreedomcouncil.org/studentcontacts.htm Libertarian Freedom Council contacts] | ||
*[http://www.campuslp.org CampusLP.org - Campus Libertarian Resource Center] | |||
Revision as of 07:42, 19 November 2008
Many colleges have libertarian organizations. Presently, the LP's campus coordinator is Dr. James W. Lark, III, Libertarian National Committee member (and former national chairman of the Libertarian Party) and professor in the School of Engineering and Applied Science at the University of Virginia.[1] In searching for campus libertarian groups, one should consider alternate names, e.g. "Students for Individual Liberty," and the like.
Outreach to college students
Outreach to college students is crucial, since it is in these years that long-lasting political and philosophical beliefs are often formed. They often long for solutions for the world's social problems; yet without sound libertarian doctrine, may be lost to counterproductive causes such as socialism. Many college students are budding intellectuals who will become opinion-leaders for the rest of society and take the reins of government in the future.
The importance of countering government indoctrination of this demographic is underscored by Murray Rothbard's For a New Liberty:[2]
- In all societies, public opinion is determined by the intellectual classes, the opinion moulders of society. For most people neither originate nor disseminate ideas and concepts; on the contrary, they tend to adopt those ideas promulgated by the professional intellectual classes, the professional dealers in ideas...To insure the dominance of the new statism over public opinion, to insure that the public's consent would be engineered, the governments of the Western world in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries moved to seize control over education, over the minds of men: over the universities...
Four-year colleges often consist of many students from other states, and even other countries. These are good for recruiting students to help with nationwide campaigns (e.g. U.S. President). The best colleges on which to canvass for relatively local races may be community colleges, since the students presumably live nearby.
Many college campuses are publicly owned, and therefore it is permitted to distribute literature, gather signatures for ballot access, etc. You may be able to set up a booth in a well-trafficked area. See Operation Politically Homeless. College campuses can be good places to address issues of particular concern to youth (e.g. underage drinking laws).
Outreach by college students
Young people can be some of the most ardent activists. They often have more time on their hands than adults (in most cases not being occupied by full-time employment, lengthy commutes, and family) with which to help out political causes. Nonetheless, it can be challenging to keep a college organization active. All members can be expected to graduate within a few years; thus, recruitment of leaders and rank-and-file members of these organization must be a constant priority. An involved faculty adviser can help provide continuity.
An effective movement must conduct both "inreach" and "outreach." Social activities can be organized to build esprit de corps, and internal debates can be held on particular issues, to expose faulty arguments and prepare students for outreach. Campus libertarians have organized many bold and edgy initiatives, such as affirmative action bake sales, handgun raffles,[3] hempfests, etc. Student government elections can also provide a venue for running candidates who will use their office as a bully pulpit for promoting libertarian ideas. For example, Student Senator Nathan Larson used his office as an opportunity to introduce a resolution on cannabis.