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Saturday, December 20, 2008

Non-Interventionism In Early LP Platforms

http://www.independentpoliticalreport.com/2008/12/brian-miller-on-the-role-of-the-vietnam-war-in-the-formation-of-the-libertarian-party

Gene, you're right that the temporary platform's specific mention of the Vietnam war was dropped from the official 1972 platform, but contra Dondero I still would describe both as anti-interventionist.

From http://libertarianmajority.net/1972-temporary-lp-platform:
The United States should abandon its attempts to act as policeman for the world, and should enter into alliances only with countries whose continued free existence is vital to our legitimate national interests. These countries should include: Japan, Australia, Canada, and the free countries of Western Europe. We should in particular disengage from any present alliances which include despotic governments, whether of the left or the right. [...] A doctrine of official non-interference by the United States in many areas of the world should not be construed to prevent private action on behalf of a foreign nation or foreign people. [...] We support the immediate and total withdrawal of all American troops from Indo-China.

From http://marketliberal.org/LP/Platforms/1972.html:
The United States should abandon its attempts to act as policeman for the world, and should enter into alliances only with countries whose continued free existence is vital to the protection of the freedom of all American citizens.

The next platform that I have is http://marketliberal.org/LP/Platforms/1976.txt:
We call for the withdrawal of all American troops from bases abroad.  We call for withdrawal from multilateral and bilateral commitments to military intervention (such as NATO and to South Korea) and for abandonment of interventionist doctrines (such as the Monroe Doctrine). [...] The important principle in foreign policy should be the elimination of intervention by the United States Government in the affairs of other nations.

If anybody has any platforms from between 1972 and 1976, I'd love a copy.