Libertarianism: Difference between revisions

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'''Libertarianism''' is a [[political philosophy]] advocating that individuals should be free to do whatever they wish with their [[individual rights|person]] or [[property rights|property]], as long as they do not infringe on the same liberty of others. Libertarians hold as a fundamental maxim that all human interaction should be voluntary and consensual. They maintain that the initiation (or threat) of physical force against another [[individual rights|person]] or his [[property rights|property]], or the commission of [[fraud]], is a violation of that principle. Some libertarians regard ''all'' initiation of force as immoral, whereas others support a limited government that engages in the minimum amount of initiatory force (such as minimal taxation and regulation) that they believe necessary to ensure maximum individual freedom. Force is not opposed when used in retaliation for initiatory aggressions such as trespassing or violence. Libertarians favor an ethic of self-responsibility and strongly oppose the [[welfare state]], because they believe ''forcing'' someone to provide aid to others is ethically wrong, ultimately counter-productive, or both.

''Note on terminology'': Some writers who have been called libertarians have also been referred to as ''classical liberals'', by others or themselves. And, some use the phrase "''the freedom philosophy''" to refer to libertarianism, [[classical liberalism]], or both.

==Principles==