Like f'rinstance how?
Ever see a Libertarian discuss religion? Very rude. Very loud. No nuance. No real discussion. Just shouting down the other person because they're stupid and moralistic and evil and don't worship the flying spaghetti monster. Ridicule. Scorn. Derision.
Sure, it's not government via the end of a gun. It's not bureaucracy. It's not a legal/paperwork/coercive environment -- 'cause Libertarians don't believe in that stuff, right?
Right.
But I am convicned that Libertarians are incapable of existing in a truly civil (polite) society. Because they have a severe dislike for anyone who thinks differently than they do.
I say this based on 40 years experience dealing with Libertarians. I believe my lying eyes.
Let's say you're right about the incivility of libertarians. Does that make them wrong about limited government?
Short answer: No. They are not wrong.
I'm all about collaboration and building bridges. I see lots of problems with society but they break into two camps:
1) Social problems -- some people behave irresponsibly (they don't work, they don't care for their children, they take drugs, etc.)
2) Economic problems -- government taxes people, spends money on irresponsible people, and creates an environment where personal responsibility and hard work don't lead to success as much as they should.
I think the second problem should be attacked first. Limit the government charity. Cut the taxes. Abandon irresponsible people. Sink or swin: personal responsibility should be mandatory.
Once government is limited in that way (no longer a crutch) then I am all in favor of lifting rules on raising children, taking drugs, etc. Maybe it's OK if "anything goes" -- so long as the person making those decisions is fully responsible for the outcomes.
But, in general, I don't see a lot of Libertarians trying to limit government so much on the economic side of things. It's mostly: legalize drugs, open the borders, easy abortion, legal prostitution. Let's do the fun stuff first.
And THEN we'll try to take away the free money and social goodies which allow people to behave in any way they like.
I say that's backwards. It won't work. Libertines will just never be willing to move on ther Phase 2 and get rid of the EBT cards, the subsidized housing, and the government healthcare and retirement accounts.
I want to limit government quite drastically. But the order in which that is done is very important. And starting with the fun stuff is the wrong approach.