Libertarianism is a political and economic ideology that advocates for free markets, low taxes, and limited government. Following the writings of Adam Smith, strict libertarians see the government as responsible for just a few primary functions: to protect and enforce private property rights to maintain a domestic police force to keep citizens safe to maintain a standing army to protect the nation's borders and interests to build public works (e.g., schools and parks) that would benefit society but the free market wouldn't be incentivized to otherwise build