LA PRENSA DEMÓCRATICA
Xavier Baptise Releases New Controversial Book
Xavier Baptiste, a member of the Congress in Gaduridos, and member of the Liberal Union, has released a new book this month titled “La Libertad del Individuo”, translating to “The Liberty of the Individual”. Baptiste, the de facto leader of the small minority libertarian faction within the Liberal Union, argues in the book for the reduction of the size of the state, both in Gaduridos and throughout the world.
The book also argues for the abolition and reduction of most taxation, including a full scrapping of income tax. This, in turn, Baptiste argues, would force the state to make cuts to unnecessary services, allowing the free market to take over, therefore giving individuals more choice over the services they receive. Baptiste also states his belief that although human nature may be self-interested, this should not be a problem for society. Instead, we should exploit this self-interest by creating competition, driving development and innovation.
The book has received an overwhelmingly negative response within mainstream Gaduri politics, including from within Baptiste’s own party. Many have called for Baptiste to be expelled from the party, with Juliana Romano, fellow Liberal Union congress-member, taking to the floor of Congress today to claim that the book goes against everything she believes.
This places the party under considerable strain, and after seven years is perhaps the biggest test of the Party President, Juan Martinez. The party’s leader in Congress will also be tested, as even if Martinez does not expel Baptiste from the party, Garcia could still remove Baptiste from the Congressional group.