Libertarian X-Men

I went to see the latest edition of the Marvel Super Hero Comic movie X-Men Days of Future Past. One thing that hit me harder than the action and drama is something I don't think a lot of people picked up on. Many in the libertarian circles have heard of the tenacious debate on Humanitarian versus Brutalist Libertarians, and I know I have written on it before, but this movie brought up some good ideas in my head.

While the X-Men led by Professor Charles Xavier and Magneto are searching for a way to bring a close to a long battle between humans and mutants, their means for doing so are entirely different. Much like the struggle to get others to see our way of thinking or even just another way of thinking and in our efforts to bring more people to support the cause of freedom and liberty. In this effort, it seems Libertarians, Anarchists and Volunatryists are what is seen as the mutants and the rest of the population as the the non mutant humans. The division between the means of change seems the same as Xavier and Magneto. And though the ends are the same it is the means which can have the most positive or negative impact on the outcome.

Charles Xavier is what we can call the Humanitarian, wanting to find a peaceful way to end the hate for mutants. Using education and awareness he and his school hope to form a partnership with non humans so that all can live in the same world unhindered by the biases and hate towards one another. This is the peaceful way to change hearts and minds, to gain new supporters and to gain a level of respect for the cause. his fight is not against the humans so much as it is against the biases and fear inside them, he is combating years of indoctrination and programming. Much like what we see here in the real world, it is the perception and the manipulation of that perception that makes the biggest imprint on the non mutants minds and their attitudes. If they see good coming from the mutant they can see that the fear and hate embedded in them is meaningless and false.

Magneto on the other hand is what we can call the Brutalist. He has experienced the pain of human hate and has endured what most would not even dare to imagine. His roots and life have revolved around that pain, that mistrust and the retribution he sees as his duty to repay. Magneto's ways are seen as the aggressor in most instances, and as his only defense. It is safe to say that Magneto would not be the most popular guy at the end of the battle, but his means lead to the same goal. In this last movie Magneto uses force to combat a threat against his own self and others, this can be seen as justifiable use of force as a defense.

The common goal between the two ends of this fictional movie spectrum is much the same as it is for the Humanitarian and Brutalist Libertarians. The argument for the brutalists is that their way shows one end of freedom. The freedom to decide what to say, who to associate with and the very act of discrimination, which of course in this day and age is seen as a negative. Though years ago to call someone discriminating was a compliment. It was seen as a positive that a man could distinguish between his tastes and his wants to make choices based on his own self interests, modern redefinition has turn this word to have a negative connotation. Now to say a man is discriminating is an insult and seen as a negative insight into his behavior or being. Those that use the brutalist way may not get more people to join in with them but they do serve as a reminder of what freedom is and how we must deal with the differing views of others.

Humanitarians are determined to show the utmost positive aspects of freedom while the brutalists show us that there are those that will still have discriminatory tastes and behaviors This again is to their own benefit or demise and should not be restricted from them. Much as Magneto and Professor X battle the line of how to progress the ideology, it will in the end be to the perception of those looking in.


Follow me on Twitter @PatriotPapers
                          or
Connect with me on Liberty.me @BeardedLibertyGuy