[rayiner]

American libertarianism predates libertarian socialism or anarchist libertarianism. Its rooted in the thinking of Thomas Paine, etc. In any case, its what the word means in American speech. Just like "biscuit" is a fluffy soft baked good and not a cookie.

[abalone]

No, the current American meaning does not trace back to the founding fathers. Thomas Paine espoused many socialist ideas such as common property and economic equality. These are indeed core tenants of true classical libertarianism.

The term "Libertarianism" was appropriated in the mid 20th century by radical capitalists and completely eviscerated of its meaning. They turned a blind eye to the authoritarianism and centralized power of corporations. Even Adam Smith (another classical libertarian, pre-capitalist thinker) warned about this.

[mistakoala]

That's an outrageous slur on biscuits!

[rayiner]

Fun fact: KFC in Australia doesn't have biscuits. They have rolls. I was besides myself with distress.

[mistakoala]

Whoa. This is already confusing. Biscuits at KFC?

[rayiner]

http://www.kfc.com/food/sides/biscuits.asp

[mistakoala]

Ohhh... Scones.

[rayiner]

It's probably most accurate to say that American biscuits are one member of a family of baked goods called "scones" in the rest of the Anglo-sphere: http://www.seriouseats.com/talk/2011/01/biscuits-vs-scones.h... (see the comment by eaguk on 01/18/11). They are savory rather than sweet, bready rather than cakey, airy rather than dense. What Americans call "scones" are exactly the opposite: a sweet, cakey, dense item that is often glazed or fruit-filled: http://www.starbucks.com/menu/food/bakery/blueberry-scone.

[adam-a]

We're talking about a British article on an international forum, I think it's fair to not assume an American perspective and vocabulary.

[sp332]

Thomas Paine was British most of the time :)

[jonathansizz]

Except for dog biscuits.