Libertarianism

Libertarianism In One Lesson
 A forceful one-page essay describing
 the essence of the Libertarian idea
 and how it can lead to a world of
 abundance & harmony.
 By David Bergland
 
 LIBERTARIANISM IN ONE LESSON
 ======================================== 
 
 This is a simple summary of what
 "Libertarianism" is. It was originally
 written by David Bergland, the 1984
 Libertarian Party (LP) presidential
 candidate, for distribution during his
 campaign.
 
 
 LIBERTARIANISM IN ONE LESSON
 
 by David Bergland
 
 Perhaps the most common question
 put to Libertarian Party (LP) candidates
 is: "What is Libertarianism?" Or,
 "What does the LP stand for?"
 
 First, let's avoid some common
 errors and confusion by stating what
 libertarianism is not. It is NOT a
 combination of left and right positions.
 It does not fit on the traditional
 political spectrum. That spectrum does
 not admit the idea that all people have
 the right to control their own lives, in
 all respects, and the obligation to take
 responsibility for themselves and their
 own actions. Liberals and conservatives
 agree that the rest of us are evil or
 incompetent or both and must therefore
 be controlled by government. They
 differ only on which aspects of our
 lives should be controlled most. 
 
 By contrast, Libertarians hold that
 each person has the absolute right of
 self-ownership over his or her life,
 body, speech, action and honestly
 acquired property. Each has the
 obligation to respect those same rights
 in mutual respect for each other's right
 of self-ownership. Anything that is
 peaceful, voluntary and honest violates
 no rights and thus is not a proper
 subject for governmental intervention. 
 
 Law enforcement's only proper
 function is to assist us in defending
 our rights. The only proper laws are
 those which penalize such conduct as
 murder, rape, kidnaping, robbery,
 burglary, arson, trespass, pollution and
 fraud. On an international scale, the
 U.S. armed forces should be confined to
 providing security against foreign
 attack on American shores. They should
 not be used in foreign wars.
 
 Libertarianism is the philosophy of
 the Declaration of Independence and the
 American Revolution. Most people, most
 of the time, deal with each other on the
 libertarian basis of mutual respect.
 Two groups don't: criminals and
 government. Libertarians challenge the
 notion that government can legitimately
 coerce the rest of us through taxation,
 regulation, conscription and criminal
 penalties imposed upon peaceful,
 voluntary conduct. We demand that laws
 be limited to their proper functions and
 that government personnel be held to the
 same standard of respect for our rights
 that the rest of us follow. 
 
 The Libertarian Party is for all
 people who do not want to be controlled
 and who do not want to control others.
 On all issues we will support increased
 personal liberty and reduced government
 control. We know that a free society is
 possible and that it is practical. We
 are committed to work for as long as it
 may take to achieve it.
 
 2nd. ed., 2/10/84
 
category:Pre Second Cold War
Category:Libertarianism