Libertarian International Organization
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The Libertarian International Organization (LIO) is the transnational network of the Libertarian movement. Unlike other transnational groups that network parties, it networks activists 'who have taken the Libertarian pledge, and other interested persons directly across' borders, in line with the self-managing and non-authoritarian Libertarian philosophy; and maintains links with Libertarian and Libertarian-friendly groups and parties in every country. It reports that as of 2004 Libertarian groups and parties exist in over 114 countries. ISIL is sometimes confused with LIO but is a separate Libertarian group that primarily sponsors international conferences.
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[edit] History
According to R. Swanson, current Chair of its Advisory Board, LIO is the successor of a commensual correspondence committee under trusteeship of a leading member of the De Lemos clan of Spain and created in the 1770's to promote, advise and protect Libertarian and other republics, non-coercive ways of living, spread the franchise, and crush all forms of peonage and slavery. It was primarily founded by Manuel Gayoso De Lemos and cousin Bernardo Galvez, then Governor of Louisiana and Commander of Spanish Forces in aid of the American Revolution, respectively; and is said to have re-focused and continued an earlier correspondence group. At various times it created independent Individualist Clubs that in the 1820's advanced the franchise and of which one remains extant in UK; and came to be known as the Libertarian League by 1890 under Miguel Lemos, co-founder of the Brazilian Republic who helped end slavery there. In the 1970's it re-organized as the Libertarian International Organization and began mentoring Libertarian-oriented activists in the US and around the world. Members have also played eminent roles in projects it initiated or supported, such as the League of Nations, the Chambers of Commerce, the International Sister Cities project, Micro-Banks and peer lending, Space private commerce, and numerous non-governmental pilot communes and Libertarian groups.
[edit] Activities
Its main activities include various mentoring and improvement initiatives for Libertarian groups, communicating with the United Nations, proposing Libertarian-direction initiatives to a contact group of interested public officials and retired leaders, start-up guidance for Libertarian groups in different countries, special projects, and providing a nexus of information exchange and coalition building for Libertarian leaders and other groups, as in this GOOGLENEWS/PHX article.It sponsors various initiatives demonstrating a wide range of projects from Libertarian group models to website ideas that are often modified and adopted by different groups, and LIO activists are frequently involved in key Libertarian projects. Its Board of Advisors has had an impressive but surprising list of names such as US Secretary of State Rogers and Dr. Timothy Leary, all of whom are united by interest in LIO's activities. Its present Board has many Libertarian luminaries.
[edit] Current Projects
Among it newer projects are sponsorship of internet colloquia; an international Library including Papal documents; microfiches of Libertarian items and storing of archives and papers of Libertarianism; a fund for a separate Library Institute; and a training initiative for community activists called Libertarian Citizen that has had promising results in Florida in elections and encouraging community action.
Its lead activists have in recent years been involved in the spread of freedom in the former Eastern Bloc, in ending various Latin right-wing dictatorships, and initiatives in many local areas such as election reform and tax reduction. It invites anyone wishing to share a project of interest to contact it via its website.
One signature project of the LIO Libertarian approach, as a transitional form, is the Alaska Permanent Fund, championed by libertarians there and which by transferring and investing capptured government cost-reductions and lands into an independent fund of the people, has not only effectively abolished most taxes in that State, but provides a family with a core income.
Financially, LIO directs funds to separate groups, as, interestingly, it accepts no money except for specific projects separately administered. While showing activist groups how to develop their own funding, it depends entirely on volunteers.
[edit] Summary
LIO is cited in numerous web political and other references, such as ElectionWorld, and praised by noted Libertarians such as management expert and former USA LP Chair Dr. James Lark as "a wonderful activist and college student resource" and Nobelist Milton Friedman.
Other Sources: Libertarian International Organization
