The Libertarianism FAQ. There are a number of standard questions about libertarianism that have been periodically resurfacing in the politics groups for years.
This posting attempts to answer some of them. I make no claim that the answers are complete, nor that they reflect a (nonexistent) unanimity among libertarians; the issues touched on here are tremendously complex. This posting will be useful, however, if it successfully conveys the flavor of libertarian thought and gives some indication of what most libertarians believe. A1. What is a libertarian? The word means approximately "believer in liberty". A2. Help individuals take more control over their own lives. A3. Modern libertarianism has multiple roots. A4. Once upon a time (in the 1800s), "liberal" and "libertarian" meant the same thing; "liberals" were individualist, distrustful of state power, pro-free- market, and opposed to the entrenched privilege of the feudal and mercantilist system.
A5. For starters, by not being conservative. A6. Critiques Of Libertarianism. Established 10/25/94.
Last updated 09/26/11. Welcome to the web site dedicated to critiquing libertarianism! Introductory features: A Non-Libertarian FAQ. A general introduction to discussion with libertarians, with an extensive discussion of arguments commonly used by libertarian evangelists. Unsolicited Praise for the Non-Libertarian FAQ. Criticisms of the Non-Libertarian FAQ. Marxism of the Right Robert Locke's The American Conservative article is the best, simplest, clearest indictment of libertarianism found for this site. Libertarianism in One Lesson. Mike Huben's guide to becoming a libertarian. Libertarianism in One Lesson; The Second Lesson.
Why is there a second lesson when the title says one lesson? So You Want To Discuss Libertarianism.... Brief, basic ideas about how to discuss libertarianism meaningfully. Quotations relevant to libertarianism. You've seen the quotes the libertarians select. Topical issues: NEW 5/10: Cato Scholar Scolds Rand Paul, Gives OK to Soup Nazi Gun Control.
Institute For Humane Studies. The libertarian or "classical liberal" perspective is that individual well-being, prosperity, and social harmony are fostered by "as much liberty as possible" and "as little government as necessary.
" These ideas lead to new questions: What's possible? What's necessary? What are the practical implications and the unsolved problems? Below are a number of different takes on the libertarian political perspective from which you can deepen your understanding; also be sure to check out the videos in the sidebar. According to The Machinery of Freedom by David Friedman, Open Court Publishing Company, 1973. The central idea of libertarianism is that people should be permitted to run their own lives as they wish. According to Libertarianism: A Primer by David Boaz, Free Press, 1997. Libertarianism is the view that each person has the right to live his life in any way he chooses so long as he respects the equal rights of others.
According to Funk and Wagnall's Dictionary NOUN: 1. Get Involved. Platform. Adopted in Convention, May 2012, Las Vegas, NV Download as a PDF As adopted in Convention, May 2012, Las Vegas, Nevada As Libertarians, we seek a world of liberty; a world in which all individuals are sovereign over their own lives and no one is forced to sacrifice his or her values for the benefit of others.
We believe that respect for individual rights is the essential precondition for a free and prosperous world, that force and fraud must be banished from human relationships, and that only through freedom can peace and prosperity be realized. Consequently, we defend each person's right to engage in any activity that is peaceful and honest, and welcome the diversity that freedom brings.
In the following pages we have set forth our basic principles and enumerated various policy stands derived from those principles. These specific policies are not our goal, however. We, the members of the Libertarian Party, challenge the cult of the omnipotent state and defend the rights of the individual.