Green libertarianism is the infusion of libertarianism - that is, the ideology that emphasizes "laissez faire" and mutual-yet-individual freedom in as many areas of life as possible - with a strong concern and respect for the Earth's ecology. Compared to what is often considered the strongly government-oriented leanings of more mainstream Green parties and politics, green libertarianism is much more dismissive of the concept of settled institutions - such as the government or industry - being mediums of ecology-friendly policy.

Instead, green libertarianism combines socially-progressive values (ecology, gay rights, animal rights) with fiscal and politicial conservatism (small government, less taxes, anti-war).

This ideology has developed within the United States in recent years due to the feelings of a few politicians who feel left out by both the Republicans and the Democrats (the two dominant parties at both the federal and state levels), such as Mike Gravel, a former senator and 2008 presidential candidate who switched his campaign ticket from the Democrats to the Libertarian party and then endorsed Jesse Johnson, who is a candidate for the Green Party nomination; ironically, Ron Paul, a candidate for the 2008 Republican nomination, is a former Libertarian Party presidential candidate (1988), while Cynthia McKinney is a former Democratic representative from Georgia who is now running for the 2008 Green nomination against Johnson and two others.

It is possible that the Green Party, which is not strictly left-wing nor right-wing (yet), can politically capitalize from the phenomenon of Green libertarianism, since the late 2000's political climate is heavily both anti-war and pro-environment. Green parties in most countries are of similar sentiment and standing; in the countries where they represent the populace in the legislative branch, Greens are usually likely to associate themselves with the larger left-wing parties (Red-Green), but can associate with right-wing parties on certain political matters (Blue-Green).

The Libertarian Party, on the other hand, has not capitalized on this sentiment, and tends more towards an emphasis on the fiscal and political conservatism that is most often associated with political right-wing populist sentiment; in this regard, the Libertarian Party competes with the Republican Party (a big-tent conservative-dominated party) and the Constitution Party (conservative with religious leanings), but can draw from disaffected members of either party. The Libertarian Party, while being anti-war and pro-privacy, is also very vocal against the Democratic Party, accusing both Democrats and Republicans of pushing for bigger, more overarching government.

Where Greens and Libertarians tend to find division and friction between each other is in the relationship of the people with either one of the three: government, religion, industry and media.

Greens often target industry in public discourse because of perceptions that industry is rather wasteful and unfriendly to both ecology and public health. Libertarians are often pro-industry and pro-capitalist, as they tend to see industry as the only bulwark against government domination, misrule and misappropriation.

Greens are sometimes critical of religion, although its usually only when religion becomes infused with politics at home (i.e., Pat Robertson and John Hagee). Libertarians are hard pressed to express any opinion on religion, except if it involves nation-threatening phenomena such as Islamic fundamentalism/Islamofascism (i.e., Ahmadinejad and Khamenei).

Greens will usually criticize the government on environmental issues, but are more pressing for government regulation of industrial waste than a total reform of government; progressive. Libertarians tend to be anti-government regulation and minarchist.

And both Greens and Libertarians have accused "big media" of political bias towards either side of the spectrum. In this regard, both groups have sided with the Progressives in the development of a more participatory, grassroots media that is prone to buck any semblance of government, industrial or religious obstruction or repression.

==External Links==

• Wikipedia article on Green libertarianism