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Entry: The Relativist Roots of Libertarianism Link: http://www.takimag.com/blogs/article/the_relativist_roots_of_libertarianism#25025 Post contents: James Burnham in his book "Suicide of the West" discusses the tendency of ideologues to exalt one value over all others. He gave the example of how one would rank liberty (in the sense of national independence), freedom, peace and justice in order of importance. A pacifist would always rank peace first; a socialist, equality; a libertarian, freedom, and so on. Burnham believed the conservative viewpoint is that the relative rank of these values cannot be fixed. Their relative importance depends on circumstances,e.g., liberty trumps peace, freedom and justice during time of war, peace may trump justice or liberty when faced with a powerful enemy. It is impossible for an ideologue to think in this matter. The emotional satisfaction the ideologue derives from applying his ideology to any matter at hand trumps reason and common sense. Sent at: 2008 07 06