anonymous question

I am asked this question quite often, usually with an underlying meaning of “well, convince me to join!” For example, Mikhail Svetov answers this question in his interview.

Good attempt, but no. Let’s not confuse the concepts.

I very much want you to become my supporter. You will receive a wealth of recommendations on what to read regarding libertarianism, economic, ethical, and legal theory. You will be able to discuss this substantively with others in chats, at meetings, and in debates. You will receive recommendations and other assistance when applying for a weapons permit. You will be helped in the event of conflicts with the state repressive apparatus. You will be able to join many interesting activities yourself, or involve others in some activity. There is much of interest around me, and it is in you, my supporters, that my strength and pride lie.

But joining the party itself means regular work on a voluntary basis. Here, it is not enough to be a libertarian, not enough to have a desire to educate others in the libertarian spirit, not enough to have a desire to support the party — you must have sufficient time, energy, and talent to do this regularly, and moreover, in constant interaction with other people who have their own ideas about what to do and how to do it. If you were fired up by the idea of joining the party, convinced me to accept you, and then burned out six months later, and now you can’t even be dragged to a regional branch meeting — then you joined for nothing. Now I will have to spend energy transferring you to the supporters, where you belonged from the start — otherwise, your passivity will disrupt the work of the democratic mechanisms, damn them.

So it is not I who needs to convince you to join the party. It is you who will have to convince me that you are not just a libertarian, but that you also understand what you are getting yourself into.

If you will, becoming a supporter of the party is like starting a romance, while joining the party is like starting a family. Feel the difference.