10-15-2016, 10:09 PM
(10-15-2016, 08:54 PM)Dill Wrote: That is a good question, Roto, since libertarians admire/want small governments and so few world leaders represent that.
Maybe Switzerland's Schneider-Amman. He is a free-market liberal in a country with a big private sector but a (relatively) strong social safety net and sensible environmental laws. Not an earth-shaker, but someone a libertarian could admire, at least, in "Socialist" Europe.
But I assume a reasonable libertarian could admire any world leader who was contributing to world peace and economic security--even if that leader advanced an occasional "big government" policy.
Juan Manuel Santos of Columbia just won the Nobel Peace Prize--even though his peace with FARC was blown up by a referendum (shades of Brexit!). Worth a mention at least.
Way off the international radar, Qatar's Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani seems to be downsizing the Qatari government and, though not himself elected, is a big fan of meritocracy, especially regarding cabinet ministers. He seems to be rolling back the state where possible, continuing (relatively) liberal social policies initiated by his father.
Along with other GCC members, he has to uphold some very illiberal laws like criminalization of insults to any member of a GCC royal family and whipping Muslims who get publicly drunk. Such laws grate against the liberal mindset, but he doesn't have much choice.
More positive international recognition and investment might help secure his position and liberalization policies.
Those are people I did not know much about.
They seem like fair suggestions, with reasonable explanations.
I just may forward your list to Gary.
I'm going to the Libertarian headquarters in Columbus, this week.
I'll try to at least get the main cat there to maybe visit here.
