one critical question: How do you regard the state? This seems a

better approach than trying to define libertarianism in reference to

“capitalism,” “socialism,” or — even more vaguely — “being for

liberty,” and is better still than a definition by reference to particular

positions (abortion, immigration, etc.). The current fashion to

redefine its relation with long-accepted terms (viz., “capitalism” by

S.Richman, “socialism” by K.Carson G.Chartier) I think stems from

exasperation with the fecklessness of the Libertarian Party. But

holding a certain position does not make one responsible for other

people’s misapprehension of that position. Any deference to this

misapprehension should be clearly stated as tactical, and should

not tempt us to compromise on the clear meaning of terms.