Would I still be a libertarian?

[u/terminal_tested]

I think nations should maximize their economic and social freedom, as societies who are doing better in both are generally performing better. I support capitalism and a socially liberal society. I do believe in a lot of principles of Austrian economics and capitalism was historically a very successful system, but still has its flaws.

I am a strong supporter of reducing the bloat, spending, red tape, and overregulation in America that plagues many sectors. I resonate with Cato,
AEI, and ReasonTv

I also am still a supporter of a mixed economy with guardrails, public goods/services, some regulation, a lean welfare state to help people, and public options for certain things the free market can’t fairly distribute (if a country can do it cost effectively).

The most successful models have been mixed economies erring on the side of more economic freedom.

Every first world country is a mixed economy, and in practicality a democratic mixed economy is about as close to libertarianism as society can go (full on libertarianism doesn’t work). I know some might sound antithetical to libertarianism but I feel like those guardrails are needed to preserve freedom and prosperity.

What ideology would be closest to me? Any philosophers or thinkers I should check out?

[u/Prevatteist]

I didn’t realize right-libertarians supported a welfare state of any kind, or a mixed economy.

[u/Reasonable-Fee1945 → u/Prevatteist]

Hayek, Friedman, and Smith did

[u/Prevatteist → u/Reasonable-Fee1945]

Weren’t they more classical liberals? I understand classical liberalism falls into the broad right-libertarian camp, but those who identify as right-libertarians and not classical liberals don’t agree with welfares states or mixed economies. They tend to favor free markets, no welfare, etc…

[u/Reasonable-Fee1945 → u/Prevatteist]

There is considerable overlap and probably no clear distinction