What is a libertarian and what aspects of the Democratic platform do they support vs the GOP platform
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The term libertarian is rather complex, in part because it has been claimed by multiple very different groups across history.
Libertarian philosophy generally is about minimal interference from government or other authority in people’s lives.
Libertarian as in the modern US Libertarian Party interprets this philosophy to support a “small government” platform. They are largely in favor of lower taxes and less regulations on the economy (siding with the GOP) as well as less restrictions on personal freedoms (being pro-choice, in favor of weed legalization, in favor of gun rights, etc – here they tend to side with the Democrats on pretty much everything except gun rights). In practice, their platforms on lower taxes and less economic regulation tends to be prioritized, which means they usually side with the GOP.
Historically, libertarian meant something quite different – the term was originally coined by (anarchist) socialists, who interpreted the freedom the philosophy supported as the freedom from a state that upholds capitalism. Libertarian socialists generally support a socialist society where government is primarily done on the local level and the economy is run cooperatively.
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