Debates within libertarianism: Difference between revisions
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===Capitalism=== |
===Capitalism=== |
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Libertarian who support [[property rights]], [[deregulation]] and [[free trade]] call themselves [[capitalists]] or [[free market| |
Libertarian who support [[property rights]], [[deregulation]] and [[free trade]] tend to call themselves [[capitalists]] or [[free market|free marketeers]]. [[Libertarian socialism|Libertarian models of socialism]] oppose capitalism and have various views on freedom of trade and property rights. The [[Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy]] says that “[[left-libertarianism]]” is a variation on libertarianism which "differs on unappropriated natural resources (land, air, water, etc.)."<ref>{{citation|contribution-url=http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/libertarianism/|title=[[Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy]]|contribution=Libertarianism|url=http://plato.stanford.edu/|publisher=[[Stanford University]]}}</ref> |
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=== Classical liberalism and libertarianism === |
=== Classical liberalism and libertarianism === |
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===LGBT rights === |
===LGBT rights === |
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{{main|Libertarian perspectives on LGBT rights}} |
{{main|Libertarian perspectives on LGBT rights}} |
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Libertarians believe that [[lesbian]], [[gay]], [[bisexuality|bisexual]], and [[transgender]]/[[transsexualism|transsexual]] ([[LGBT]]) adults have a right to choose their own lifestyle or sexual preference, provided that such expression does not trample on the same freedom of other people to choose their own sexual preference or religious freedom. They support eliminating any role for government in marriage and propose all marriage contracts between |
Libertarians believe that [[lesbian]], [[gay]], [[bisexuality|bisexual]], and [[transgender]]/[[transsexualism|transsexual]] ([[LGBT]]) adults have a right to choose their own lifestyle or sexual preference, provided that such expression does not trample on the same freedom of other people to choose their own sexual preference or religious freedom. They support eliminating any role for government in marriage and propose all marriage contracts between two or more adults of any sex be accepted as legal contracts. |
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===Laws regarding race and sex=== |
===Laws regarding race and sex=== |
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Libertarians are against laws |
Libertarians are against laws that favor or harm any race or either sex. These include [[Jim Crow]] laws, state segregation, interracial marriage bans, and laws restricting womens' rights; they likewise oppose state enforced affirmative action, hate crime laws and anti-discrimination laws. They would not use the state to prevent voluntary affirmative action or voluntary discrimination.<ref>Murray Rothbard, [http://www.lewrockwell.com/rothbard/ir/Ch16.html Big Government Libertarians], November, 1994</ref><ref>Review of Charles Murary, [http://www.cato.org/pubs/journal/cj16n3/cj16n3-8.pdf ''What it means to be a Libertarian''], [[Cato Institute]] Journal, 1997.</ref><ref>[http://www.lp.org/platform Libertarian Party 2008 platform]</ref> Most believe that the drive for profit in the marketplace will diminish or eliminate the effects of racism, which they tend to consider to be inherently collectivist. |
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===Abortion=== |
===Abortion=== |
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===Natural resources=== |
===Natural resources=== |
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{{main|Libertarian perspectives on natural resources}} |
{{main|Libertarian perspectives on natural resources}} |
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Most libertarians (such as [[Free-market environmentalism|free market environmentalists]] and [[objectivist philosophy|objectivists]]) believe that environmental damage is a result of [[tragedy of the commons|state ownership and mismanagement of natural resources]] and believe that private ownership of all natural resources will result in a better environment, as a private owner of property will have more incentive to ensure the longer term value of the property. Others, such as [[Geolibertarianism|geolibertarians]], believe that such resources (especially land) cannot be considered allodial property. |
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===Intellectual property=== |
===Intellectual property=== |
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{{main|Libertarian perspectives on intellectual property}} |
{{main|Libertarian perspectives on intellectual property}} |
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Libertarians hold a variety of views |
Libertarians hold a variety of views on intellectual property and patents. Some libertarian [[natural rights]] theorists justify property rights in ideas (and other intangibles) just like they do property rights in physical goods, saying she who made it owns it; other libertarian natural rights theorists, especially since [[Stephen Kinsella|Kinsella]], have held that one can only own physical material can be owned, and that ownership of "[[intellectual property]]" (IP) amount to an illegitimate claim of ownership over that which enters another's mind, that which cannot be removed or controlled without violation of the non-aggression axiom. Pro-IP libertarians of the [[utilitarian]] tradition say that IP maximizes innovation, while anti-IP libertarians of the selfsame persuasion say that it causes shortages of innovation. This latter view holds that IP is a euphemism for [[intellectual protectionism]] and should be abolished altogether. |
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===Inheritance=== |
===Inheritance=== |
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{{main|Libertarian perspectives on inheritance}} |
{{main|Libertarian perspectives on inheritance}} |
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Libertarians may disagree over what to do in absence of a will or contract in the event of death, and over posthumous property rights. In the event of a contract, the contract is enforced according to the property owner's wishes. Typically, libertarians believe that any unwilled property goes to remaining living relatives, and ideally, none of the property goes to the government in such a case. |
Libertarians may disagree over what to do in absence of a will or contract in the event of death, and over posthumous property rights. In the event of a contract, the contract is enforced according to the property owner's wishes. Typically, libertarians believe that any unwilled property goes to remaining living relatives, and ideally, none of the property goes to the government in such a case. Others would say that if no will has been made, the property immediately enters the the state of nature from which anyone (save the state) can [[homestead principle|homestead]] it. |
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==Strategy== |
==Strategy== |
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===Political alliances=== |
===Political alliances=== |
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{{main|Libertarian perspectives on political alliances}} |
{{main|Libertarian perspectives on political alliances}} |
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Libertarians ally politically with modern conservatives over economic issues and gun laws |
Libertarians ally politically with modern conservatives over economic issues and gun laws, while they are more prone to ally with liberals on other [[civil liberties]] issues and [[non-interventionism]]. They may choose to vote for candidates of other parties depending on the individual and the issues they promote. |
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===Revolution=== |
===Revolution=== |
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Revision as of 20:04, 18 April 2009
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Libertarianism is a political philosophy that emphasises the liberty of the individual and seeks to minimize or even abolish the state.[1][2] However, there is disagreements within the proponents of the libertarian ideology, on issues such as taxation, warfare, and immigration.
Philosophy
Consequences vs. rights
Milton Friedman defined consequentialist libertarianism as a philosophy that advocates "the least intrusive government consistent with the maximum freedom for each individual as long as he does not interfere with individuals pursuing their own freedom."[3] Where rights-theorist libertarians oppose all intrusion by government, if they support the existence of a state at all, consequentialists libertarians accept limited government interventions that they consider needed to maximize liberty. Another view, contractarian libertarianism, holds that any legitimate authority of government derives not from the consent of the governed, but from contract or mutual agreement. Robert Nozick holds a variation on this view, as does Jan Narveson, economist James M. Buchanan, Canadian philosopher David Gauthier and Hungarian-French philosopher Anthony de Jasay.[4][5][6]
Capitalism
Libertarian who support property rights, deregulation and free trade tend to call themselves capitalists or free marketeers. Libertarian models of socialism oppose capitalism and have various views on freedom of trade and property rights. The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy says that “left-libertarianism” is a variation on libertarianism which "differs on unappropriated natural resources (land, air, water, etc.)."[7]
Classical liberalism and libertarianism
Libertarians in the minarchist flavor generally use classical liberalism interchangeably with libertarianism. However, major historical and connotational differences exist over the major terms. Generally, libertarianism means a radicalized and purist form of liberalism. Difficulties may, however, sometimes prevail in terminology when dealing with other libertarian schools of thought.[citation needed]
Issues
Immigration
Libertarians generally support freedom of movement,including over borders. A minority argue that open borders amount to legalized trespass.
LGBT rights
Libertarians believe that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender/transsexual (LGBT) adults have a right to choose their own lifestyle or sexual preference, provided that such expression does not trample on the same freedom of other people to choose their own sexual preference or religious freedom. They support eliminating any role for government in marriage and propose all marriage contracts between two or more adults of any sex be accepted as legal contracts.
Laws regarding race and sex
Libertarians are against laws that favor or harm any race or either sex. These include Jim Crow laws, state segregation, interracial marriage bans, and laws restricting womens' rights; they likewise oppose state enforced affirmative action, hate crime laws and anti-discrimination laws. They would not use the state to prevent voluntary affirmative action or voluntary discrimination.[8][9][10] Most believe that the drive for profit in the marketplace will diminish or eliminate the effects of racism, which they tend to consider to be inherently collectivist.
Abortion
Libertarians support womens' rights to choose abortion, though some argue abortion becomes homicide at some point during pregnancy and therefore should be outlawed at that point.[11] The Libertarian Party of the U.S. platform supports keeping abortion legal. Groups like the Association of Libertarian Feminists, the Objectivist-influenced Capitalism Magazine, and Pro-Choice Libertarians support keeping the government out of the issue. Libertarians For Life argues that zygotes and fetuses should have the same rights as children and calls for outlawing abortion.
Capital punishment
Libertarians are divided on capital punishment, also known as the death penalty. Those opposing it see it as an excessive abuse of state power which is by its very nature irreversible, as well as being in conflict with the Bill of Rights' ban on "cruel and unusual punishment." Those who support it do so on self-defense or retributive justice grounds.
Foreign military intervention
Most libertarians oppose and are suspicious of government intervention in the affairs of other countries, especially violent intervention. Many Objectivists and libertarian conservatives argue that intervention is not unethical when a foreign government is abusing the rights of its citizens, but whether a nation should intervene depends on its own self-interest.
Taxation
Some libertarians believe that logical consistency to fundamental libertarian principles like the non-aggression principle oppose all coercive taxation and support tax resistance.[12]. They would fund all services through contributions and user fees. Some proponents of limited government support low taxes, arguing that a society with no taxation would have difficulty providing public goods such as crime prevention. Geolibertarians support a land value tax.
Natural resources
Most libertarians (such as free market environmentalists and objectivists) believe that environmental damage is a result of state ownership and mismanagement of natural resources and believe that private ownership of all natural resources will result in a better environment, as a private owner of property will have more incentive to ensure the longer term value of the property. Others, such as geolibertarians, believe that such resources (especially land) cannot be considered allodial property.
Intellectual property
Libertarians hold a variety of views on intellectual property and patents. Some libertarian natural rights theorists justify property rights in ideas (and other intangibles) just like they do property rights in physical goods, saying she who made it owns it; other libertarian natural rights theorists, especially since Kinsella, have held that one can only own physical material can be owned, and that ownership of "intellectual property" (IP) amount to an illegitimate claim of ownership over that which enters another's mind, that which cannot be removed or controlled without violation of the non-aggression axiom. Pro-IP libertarians of the utilitarian tradition say that IP maximizes innovation, while anti-IP libertarians of the selfsame persuasion say that it causes shortages of innovation. This latter view holds that IP is a euphemism for intellectual protectionism and should be abolished altogether.
Inheritance
Libertarians may disagree over what to do in absence of a will or contract in the event of death, and over posthumous property rights. In the event of a contract, the contract is enforced according to the property owner's wishes. Typically, libertarians believe that any unwilled property goes to remaining living relatives, and ideally, none of the property goes to the government in such a case. Others would say that if no will has been made, the property immediately enters the the state of nature from which anyone (save the state) can homestead it.
Strategy
Political alliances
Libertarians ally politically with modern conservatives over economic issues and gun laws, while they are more prone to ally with liberals on other civil liberties issues and non-interventionism. They may choose to vote for candidates of other parties depending on the individual and the issues they promote.
Revolution
Libertarians generally agree on the desirability of rapid and fundamental changes in power or organizational structures, but may disagree on the means by which such changes might be achieved.
Non-voting
Various libertarians use non-voting as a strategy. Some consider voting as impractical and some consider voting as immoral. Voluntaryists and Agorists oppose voting.
See also
External links
- Ronald Hamowy, The Encyclopedia of Libertarianism, Cato Institute, SAGE, 2008 ISBN 1412965802, 9781412965804
References
- ^ Professor Brian Martin, Eliminating state crime by abolishing the state.
- ^ Murray Rothbard, Do You Hate the State?, The Libertarian Forum, Vol. 10, No. 7, July 1977.
- ^ Take It To The Limit: Milton Friedman on Libertarianism. Transcript from an interview
- ^ Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy entry on "Contractarianism", revised April 4, 2007.
- ^ Anthony de Jasay, Hayek: Some Missing Pieces, The Review of Austrian Economics Vol. 9,NO.1 (1996): 107-18, ISSN0889-3047
- ^ Hardy Bouillon, Hartmut Kliemt, Ordered AnarchyAshgate Publishing, Ltd., 2007, foreward, ISBN 075466113X, 9780754661139
- ^ "Libertarianism", [[Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy]], Stanford University
{{citation}}: URL–wikilink conflict (help) - ^ Murray Rothbard, Big Government Libertarians, November, 1994
- ^ Review of Charles Murary, What it means to be a Libertarian, Cato Institute Journal, 1997.
- ^ Libertarian Party 2008 platform
- ^ Ask Dr. Ruwart, Advocates for Self-Government.
- ^ "The libertarian, if he is to be logically consistent, must urge zero crime, not a small amount of it. Any crime is anathema for the libertarian. Any government, no matter how “nice,” must therefore also be rejected by the libertarian." Walter Block, Governmental Inevitability: Reply to Holcombe, Journal of Libertarian Studies Volume 19, NO. 3 (Summer 2005): 71–93