| | Jordon, there are so many ways in which we can slowly approach reaching the ideal. I also recall Rand saying that anything devised by man can (and does) change, as opposed to actual laws of reality. To wit, go back a mere 500 years and tell me if anyone would see government as we have it now as even being in the realm of possibility.
However, to answer your question, any time I see less taxes, less government, and even more global competition, I see libertarian ideas winning. What will stop socialism in Europe? What removed Communism? The failure of these systems and increasing competition. Those who do not adapt are left in the dust, and the fact that the world is more connected actually helps the better ideas to win, because if Europe or the US doesn't want to lower taxes, maybe Ireland does and attracts more business and people, putting pressure on others to do the same.
Bottom line is, while the ultimate ideas are goals to keep espousing, progress is still made. I think on these forums, many people are arguing with (from an outsider's perspective) similar minded people, and the disagreements all seem so far from what is out there now.
Regarding the credit issue and the connectedness you speak of, these are positives to liberty not negatives. Credit allows people to leverage their potential, and despite its pitfalls is an overall positive for growth and entrepreneurism. As others mentioned, connectivity now allows anyone to write and communicate with people the world over and exchange ideas, all without or despite the best efforts of states to hold back!
Earlier on this board, I was taken to task for what I feel is a man with a strategic vision who, while not an Objectivist, is showing a way in which our goals can be achieved as well as many of those whose philosophy may not be in agreement with ours, such as left-leaning and religious people. This is not a "compromise" but away to achieve the goals of a better world, whether your motive is self-interest or altruism, the results actually do both. I recommend you take a look at Thomas P.M. Barnett (www.thomaspmbarnet.com) for example. To me, I feel it is an example of how to:
1) Have people from an extremely broad section of ideologies agree on a strategic vision
2) Achieve more connectivity and security, thereby increasing our economic prosperity and security, which necessitates the same for other people to enjoy the same.
3) When it gets to the right point, Objectivism should be able to win in the free exchange of ideas, and already is in many cases - hence the emphasis on private action by business and private and individual investment, within a structure of security that is a proper function of even a minarchist government.
4) How to have a positive viewpoint rather than a negative and ultimately futile one (as I see at places like ARI and TOC)
5) Plus, for all the malarchy spouted by proponents of various ideas, this is something that important people in government and business take seriously - it is something realistic, not ramblings by leftist or anarchist nutballs.
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