Libertarianism

Published Jan 5, 2023

Definition of Libertarianism

Libertarianism is a political philosophy that advocates for individual liberty and limited government intervention. That means it promotes the idea that individuals should be free to make their own decisions (both in an economic and social context) and that the government should not interfere in their lives unless absolutely necessary.

Example

To illustrate this, let’s look at the example of taxation. Libertarians believe that taxation should be kept to a minimum and that the government should only collect taxes to fund essential services like defense, infrastructure, and public safety. They argue that taxation should not be used to fund social programs or to redistribute wealth.

Similarly, libertarians also oppose government regulations and believe that individuals should be free to make their own decisions without government interference. For example, they believe that individuals should be free to choose their own healthcare plans and that the government should not be involved in healthcare decisions, as they consider those to be not absolutely necessary.

Why Libertarianism Matters

Libertarianism has become a popular political philosophy because it emphasizes the importance of individual liberty and limited government intervention. It is closely related to the general idea of classical liberalism.

In that sense, it promotes the idea individuals should be free to make their own decisions and that the government should not interfere in their lives unless absolutely necessary. This philosophy is especially relevant in today’s world, where many governments are increasingly intervening in the lives of their citizens.