Three cheers for Javier Milei, Argentina’s libertarian president-elect

Liberty has prevailed in Argentina, with libertarian economist Javier Milei trouncing the old guard which has kept the South American nation stagnant.

The situation in Argentina is quite bleak, which makes it no wonder that a libertarian outsider like Milei was able to pull off the victory.

“Argentina has seen 10 years without economic growth,” reports the Washington Post. “During that decade, poverty rates shot up from 28 percent to more than 40 percent. Now, for the first time ever, even formal workers in Argentina’s economy are below the poverty line. Inflation is nearing 150 percent.”

For most of the past two decades, left-leaning Peronists (named after former leader Juan Perón) have ruled over Argentina. Government has bloated significantly, as have their allied unions, which have stifled economic activity.

“In many ways, Argentina’s organized labor is akin to the mafia, facing accusations of extortion and wielding its power over politicians,” wrote Antonella Marty, director of public relations and influencer relations at Atlas Network in these pages last year. “In some cases, politicians leave office to appease union officials—and stay safe.”

It is this machine that Milei has vowed to break.

Milei has been lazily described by many outlets as “far-right,” a “populist,” a mere Trump wannabe. This is not so.

Milei understands that liberty and free markets, not government handouts and the incessant meddling of politicians, are the path to prosperity.

“[Classical] liberalism is the unrestricted respect for one’s neighbor’s life plan, based on the non‐​aggression principle and the defense of the right to life, liberty, and property,” Milei said in August, channeling fellow economist Benegas Lynch.

To be sure, Milei has made a name for himself with more dramatic swipes against socialism and the state, routinely ripping the “thieving and corrupt” political establishment.

“We will put an end to the parasitic, stupid, useless political caste that is sinking this country,” he has vowed.

Milei’s top priority is to slash taxes and government in an effort to jumpstart the nation’s economy and beat back inflation.  Consolidating government departments, privatizing state-owned sectors and implementing a school voucher system are among Milei’s other objectives.

On social issues, Milei is very much a libertarian. He supports expanded gun rights, drug legalization and gay marriage. Asked his views on transgender issues, he responded, “I have no problem, as long as you don’t make me pay the bill.”

Libertarians have long been split on the abortion. Milei opposes abortion on the grounds that it violates the non-aggression principle, a cornerstone of libertarian philosophy, due to the destruction of life, which he believes starts at conception. This puts him in alignment with prominent American libertarians like Ron Paul and Justin Amash.

Bottom-line, though, Milei is not just a rhetorical bomb-thrower or rabble-rouser. Milei has a developed and coherent philosophy, which he now has a chance to push in a nation in need of libertarian reforms.

While Milei is up against a lot, and is sure to run into trouble, we are hopeful that he will give it his all to dismantle socialism, free the people of Argentina and spur a more prosperous future.