Libertarianism

This article is discussing the conservative ideology represented by Rick Santorum, the new favorite of the Republican primaries. I post it however in order to give a clear definition of libertarianism (aka Ron Paul and von Mises Blog):
"Libertarianism is an extreme form of individualism, in which personal rights trump every other social goal and institution. It is actually a species of classical liberalism, not conservatism — more directly traceable to John Stuart Mill than Edmund Burke or Alexis de Tocqueville. The Catholic (and increasingly Protestant) approach to social ethics asserts that liberty is made possible by strong social institutions — families, communities, congregations — that prepare human beings for the exercise of liberty by teaching self-restraint, compassion and concern for the public good. Oppressive, overreaching government undermines these value-shaping institutions. Responsible government can empower them — say, with a child tax credit or a deduction for charitable giving — as well as defend them against the aggressions of extreme poverty or against “free markets” in drugs or obscenity."

A comment:
Libertarianism, represented by Ron Paul, is a curious ideology: On the one hand, in its staunch anti-war, anti-interference stance it is very similar to the extremely left ideologies, such as the extreme wing of the Democratic party in US or Meretz and Hadash in Israel. On the other hand, applying consistently the same pro-individual position to the economy, libertarianism advocates wild capitalism with minimal government regulations and totally free international trade (no tarifs, in particular) - a position antithetical to the traditionally pro-welfare left.