Why I’m Attending Anarchapulco (And What It Actually Is)

This year I’ll be attending Anarchapulco again.

The event has been running for about twelve years now, and I’ve been involved since the beginning. I served as MC for the first, second, fourth, and sixth conferences and have spoken at many of them over the years.

Despite the name, I’m not an anarchist.

The word “anarchist” means different things to different people. In my experience, most people who use that label today tend to be either socialists or libertarians using the term in a modern way. What Anarchapulco is in practice is closer to a libertarian convention — a gathering of people who want to discuss ideas about freedom, economics, entrepreneurship, and personal responsibility.

Over the years, the conference has hosted many notable speakers, including Ron Paul, who attended after retiring from Congress. I consider him one of the most honorable men. Whether someone agrees with him on every issue or not, his consistency and integrity are difficult to ignore.

Ron Paul Giving a Speech in 2012

Anarchapulco has developed a reputation for its nightlife and parties. That’s never been my focus. I go to bed at 8:30. I’ve always preferred early mornings and clear conversations over late nights.

For me, the event has always been about dialogue. It’s a place where people come to exchange ideas, challenge assumptions, and think critically about how society functions.

This year, I’m especially looking forward to one particular talk — the one I’ll be giving to the kids.

— Mark Edgington

This article also appears on Medium where you can learn more about Mark Edgington’s ongoing work.