libertarianism

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libertarianism

Q: What is libertarianism?

Libertarianism is a political philosophy that takes individual liberty to be the primary political value. It may be understood as a form of liberalism, which seeks to define and justify the legitimate powers of government in terms of certain natural or God-given individual rights. The central philosophical issue is not individuality versus community, but rather consent versus coercion.

Q: What is the origin of libertarianism?

Libertarianism has deep roots in Western thought. A central feature of the religious and intellectual traditions of ancient Israel and ancient Greece was the idea of a higher moral law that applied universally and constrained the powers of even kings and governments. Libertarianism also was influenced by debates within Scholasticism on slavery and private property.

Q: What are criticisms of libertarianism?

A long-standing criticism of libertarianism is that it presupposes an unrealistic and undesirable conception of individual identity and of the conditions necessary for human flourishing. Opponents of libertarianism often refer to libertarian individualism as “atomistic,” arguing that it ignores the role of family, religious community, and state.

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Written by David Boaz

Fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last Updated: Mar 29, 2024 • Article History

John Locke

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Category: History & Society

Key People:: Robert Nozick

Related Topics:: political system; ideology; free will and moral responsibility; alt-right; free market

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What is libertarianism?

What is the origin of libertarianism?

What are criticisms of libertarianism?

libertarianism, political philosophy that takes individual liberty to be the primary political value. It may be understood as a form of liberalism, classical liberalism in particular, the political philosophy associated with the English philosophers John Locke and John Stuart Mill, the Scottish economist Adam Smith, and the American statesman Thomas Jefferson. Liberalism seeks to define and justify the legitimate powers of government in terms of certain natural or God-given individual rights. These rights include the rights to life, liberty, private property, freedom of speech and association, freedom of worship, government by consent, equality under the law, and moral autonomy (the ...(100 of 3747 words)

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