Manuel Barkhau: The Rise of Libertarianism in Germany
“They say Germans are romantics in the sense that they follow an ideal to the bitter end, maybe to their own detriment.
But who knows? Maybe if they figure out that the ideal is freedom, then they will follow that to the bitter end, and then Germany might become a libertarian utopia at some point.“
On this week’s podcast, I sat down with Manuel Barkhau.
Manuel is a Software Developer based in Frankfurt, Germany. He’s been an Austro-Libertarian, Anarcho-Capitalist since the Ron Paul presidential campaign in 2008, and a Bitcoiner since 2011. His current focus is on growing the libertarian community and awareness of libertarianism in Germany through the German libertarian party Die Libertären.
This episode dives deep into the evolution of political thought in Germany, particularly in the context of the recent COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on civil liberties.
The conversation explores the current political landscape, the role of media in shaping public perceptions, and the potential for libertarian ideas to gain traction in a society increasingly wary of centralized power.
The dialogue also touches on technological advancements, such as drones and their implications for warfare and civil liberties, and the possibility of a dystopian trajectory if current trends continue.
Enjoy the conversation.