This month, we will take a moment to honor the radical legacy of David Fraser Nolan (November 23, 1943 – November 21, 2010), a founding member of the Libertarian Party whose influence continues to resonate today. He also introduced the now-famous Nolan Chart, a tool designed to demonstrate the complexity of political ideology beyond the standard left-right spectrum and has become a defining feature of libertarian thought. His vision was radical for its time, and his approach challenged the status quo. "
David at the 2008 LP Convention in Denver, Colorado
Founding the Party
Several events of 1971 were critical in Nolan’s decision to help found the Party. The imposition of wage and price controls by President Nixon, the closing of the gold window, and Nolan’s belief that the Vietnam War was both misguided and illegal were major turning points. These actions, along with his growing frustration with the existing political system, led Nolan and a group of dedicated libertarians to form the Committee to Form a Libertarian Party in July 1971. By December, they had officially established the Libertarian Party.
David’s Legacy
Nolan didn’t just help create the Libertarian Party—he lived its principles. Over the years, he ran for office several times, including an unsuccessful bid for the U.S. House of Representatives in 2006 and a Senate run in 2010. Although he didn’t win, Nolan’s campaigns reflected his unwavering commitment to spreading the radical message of liberty.
However, Nolan’s later years were marked by increasing frustration with the direction the party had taken. After the 2006 purge of much of the Libertarian Party’s platform, Nolan grew critical of the leadership, accusing them of abandoning the party’s radical roots. "They're afraid to say anything that might scare people," Nolan said in a 2008 interview. "It's become a very timid organization in the last six or eight years." His concerns were a call to return to the bold, principled stands that had characterized the party in its early years.
As we reflect on Nolan’s legacy at a time when our party seems to have once again lost its way, we must ask ourselves: Are we staying true to the radical principles that founded our party? Now, more than ever, we need to reclaim the bold vision for liberty that Nolan embodied—a vision of a world where freedom isn’t just an ideal, but a way of life.
Let’s rekindle the spirit of David Nolan’s vision and work together to re-radicalize the LP. It’s time to restore our commitment to the fight for liberty and a free world, and to inspire future generations.
Together, let’s be radical again.