Leonard Read, Javier Milei and pushing the button
Imagine you are a major politician in your country. In your office, there is a magical podium with a button on it, accompanied by a sign that reads: “Push for eliminating all unnecessary government interference.”
Would you push this button?
Pushing the button” represents a libertarian dilemma, rooted in Leonard Read’s approach to libertarianism. This concept originates from a speech that Read produced after the end of World War II. His famous words were:
“If there were a button on this rostrum, the pressing of which would instantaneously release all wage and price controls, I’d put my finger on it and push.”
The short response to the dilemma represents Read’s determination and approach to social change. These words inspire a radical libertarian strategy towards social change, further developed by Murray Rothbard: “The abolitionist is a “button pusher” who would blister his thumb pushing a button that would abolish the State immediately, if such a button existed.”
Javier Milei won Argentina’s 2023 presidential election, becoming the first president to explicitly identify with libertarian and anarcho-capitalist ideals. His approach to governance has been branded as a “chainsaw,” symbolizing his clear intention to reduce the size of the state, particularly in terms of government structure and spending.
Therefore, the question arises if Milei did push the button? To answer the question we require, a short analysis of the differing views within libertarianism.
Radicalism and gradualism
There are at least two libertarian strategies for social change: radicalism and gradualism.
These approaches reflect different interpretations of libertarianism — both as a final goal and as an ongoing process. When viewed as a goal, libertarianism emphasizes its ideal state, or utopia, as the ultimate goal. As a process, it is understood as a consistent, gradual improvement in individual liberty, free markets, and the rule of law.
Radicalism in libertarianism is closely associated with Mr. Libertarian Murray Rothbard. His dedication to applying libertarian principles into practice and his focus on achieving a stateless, voluntary society make him a leader in the radical movement. Leonard Read and Ayn Rand are often mentioned alongside Rothbard in this regard. Radicalism, simply put, insists on the ultimate goal without compromise in the process of achieving it.
Gradualism, by contrast, views libertarianism as a continuous process of enhancing individual liberty. This approach is linked to the writings and activism of Friedrich Hayek, David Boaz, Tom G. Palmer, and other contemporary libertarians who focus on incremental improvements rather than an uncompromising pursuit of the final goal. Another distinction is that radicals are more likely to be U.S.-based and focused on implementing their ideals domestically, while gradualists often take a global perspective, prioritising improvements within local contexts over achieving the final goal.
Pushing the button or the buttons
“Pushing the button” symbolizes a hypothetical, radical, and immediate elimination of unnecessary government interference. However, “unnecessary government interference” can be interpreted in at least three ways, each corresponding to a distinct libertarian ideal. The anarchist interpretation envisions a stateless society. The minarchist view advocates for a “night-watchman” state, limited strictly to functions like policing, courts, and national defence. The broadest interpretation, associated with classical liberalism, envisions a minimal state equipped with core functions but allows for some additional roles, such as limited redistribution, education, and social services.
“Pushing multiple buttons” is a metaphor that embodies a gradualist approach to reducing government interference. Each button corresponds to a specific area of government influence, such as taxation, spending, regulation, criminalisation, foreign intervention, and decentralisation. For instance, a politician “pushes a button” when they introduce cannabis legalization. Another button is pushed by lowering negative income taxes, and yet another by removing occupational licensing requirements. Each policy aimed at enhancing individual liberty can be seen as pushing a particular button, representing incremental steps toward a freer society. And the gradualist approach corresponds to the socio-political reality we are living in.
Javier Milei’s chainsaw
Stepping in as president of the republic on December 10, 2023, Milei’s rhetoric has left few indifferent. Leftists have accused him of being a right-wing populist. Some have even associated him with right-wing dictators. Meanwhile, libertarians are generally supportive of his administration, though they are not fully united in their views. Classical liberals and those who see libertarianism as a gradual process tend to support his reforms. In contrast, hardcore libertarians, or anarcho-capitalists, remain somewhat skeptical of his ability to achieve the ultimate libertarian ideal.
There are at least three areas of his chainsaw working efficiently since taking office within the last 11 months. Milei managed to cut government spending up to 30%. Furthermore, the federal workforce was reduced by 25,000 employees and monthly inflation dropped to 4.2% (August 2024) from 25% (December 2023). Despite these economic improvements in Argentina, certain sectors remain untouched, such as tax reduction and privatisation of state-owned companies.
However, when discussing Milei’s governance, it is important to note that he has been in power for nearly 11 months—a relatively short time for implementing comprehensive changes in public policy. Furthermore, it is essential to recognise that he is not the absolute sovereign of Argentina. Political power is divided between the president and the Senate, where his party holds a minority position. Since his election, there has been ongoing negotiation and pushback with the Senate regarding specific policies. He is not an all-powerful politician who can transform Argentina into an anarcho-capitalist paradise overnight, let alone in less than a year. Even Rothbard, the radical and the ‘button pusher’ recognises that “the abolitionist also knows that alas, such a button does not exist, and that he will take a bit of the loaf if necessary — while always preferring the whole loaf if he can achieve it.”
Did Milei push the button(s)?
If there is a single button on the podium for eliminating all unnecessary government interference in human life and social affairs, Milei did not push that button. However, if there are multiple buttons on the same podium, each corresponding to the removal of a specific area of government interference and enhancing individual liberty, then it can be said that Milei has indeed pushed multiple buttons. Even though he has been identifying with the idea of stateless society or anarcho-capitalism, the strategy for social change requires a lot of compromises, and his final goal is hardly reachable within a short time frame.
Ultimately, despite his radical rhetoric, he is adopting a gradual approach toward a freer future for his country, and thus setting an example for freeing the world.
