About Us
Libertarianism Defined
Libertarianism is the belief that every individual has the right to live their own life, make their own choices, and pursue their own happiness—provided they respect the equal rights of others.
At its core, libertarianism recognizes that every person is the rightful owner of their own life. Because of this, no individual, group, or government should use force or coercion against peaceful people except to protect others from force, fraud, or aggression.
Freedom is not simply the absence of government. It is the presence of individual rights, personal responsibility, voluntary cooperation, and equality under the law.
The Non-Aggression Principle
The foundation of libertarian philosophy is often expressed through the Non-Aggression Principle:
No person or government should initiate force or fraud against another person.
This principle does not oppose all uses of force. It recognizes that force may be necessary to protect innocent people from violence, theft, fraud, or invasion. The purpose of government, therefore, is to defend individual rights—not to control peaceful personal decisions.
Individual Rights
Libertarians believe that rights belong to individuals—not governments.
These include the rights to:
These rights belong equally to every person, regardless of race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, ethnicity, or political beliefs.
Personal Responsibility
Liberty and responsibility go hand in hand.
Freedom means accepting responsibility for the consequences of one’s own choices rather than expecting government to make those choices for us or shield us from every risk.
A free society depends upon individuals solving problems through families, communities, charities, businesses, and voluntary organizations whenever possible.
Limited Government
Libertarians recognize that government has legitimate functions, including protecting individual rights through:
Government should be limited to those functions necessary to protect liberty and should exercise its powers transparently, constitutionally, and with accountability to the people.
Free Markets
Libertarians believe that voluntary exchange benefits everyone.
Free markets encourage innovation, competition, and opportunity while allowing individuals—not politicians—to decide how best to spend their money, invest their resources, and build their businesses.
Economic freedom and personal freedom are inseparable. A society cannot be truly free if government controls how people earn a living or uses excessive regulation to limit opportunity.
Equal Justice Under the Law
Libertarians believe that the law should apply equally to everyone.
Government should neither grant special privileges nor impose special burdens based on political influence, wealth, occupation, or personal identity.
Justice requires equal treatment, due process, and the protection of every individual’s constitutional rights.
A Society Built on Voluntary Cooperation
Most of what makes society work happens because people choose to cooperate.
Families raise children.
Neighbors help one another.
Businesses create jobs.
Charities assist those in need.
Communities solve problems every day without government direction.
Libertarians believe voluntary cooperation is generally more effective, more compassionate, and more respectful of individual dignity than government coercion.
Frequently Asked Questions
No.
While libertarians often agree with conservatives on issues such as limited government and economic freedom, they frequently differ on issues involving personal liberty and individual choice.
Not in the modern political sense.
Libertarians often agree with progressives on protecting civil liberties and reducing government intrusion into personal lives, but generally favor free markets and limited government over expanded government programs.
No.
Some libertarians advocate for little or no government, while others support a constitutionally limited government focused on protecting individual rights. The Libertarian Party includes members with a range of views, but all share a commitment to maximizing individual liberty.
No.
Libertarians believe people should be free to make peaceful choices but should be held accountable when they violate the rights of others through force, fraud, theft, or violence.
The Libertarian Vision
Libertarians envision a society where individuals are free to think, create, innovate, worship, speak, work, and live according to their own values.
A society where government exists to protect liberty rather than manage lives.
A society where disagreements are resolved through persuasion instead of coercion.
A society where opportunity comes from freedom, responsibility, and voluntary cooperation.
That is the promise of liberty.