Why I am a Libertarian

jk148706@ohio.edu

Political theory has always been a subject of stimulating, challenging and passionate debate. Each competing ideology seeks to answer questions of equality, justice, liberty, government and so on. But these questions cannot be answered without the goals stated, i.e., if two ideologies seek different ends, it is futile to debate the means. A butcher and a member of PETA are obviously going to have different opinions regarding the treatment of animals.

For that reason, it is important to state the ends – or goals – of Libertarianism, before debating means. The goal of Libertarianism, then, is to maximize the liberty of each individual. Liberty is here defined as freedom for one to do as he pleases so long as the action does not hurt the person or property of another. In essence, the Libertarian believes individuals should be free to undertake any voluntary and peaceful act. Coercive acts – whether by an individual, a group of individuals, or a government – are illegitimate and unethical to the Libertarian.

The means to achieve this goal is to eliminate, or minimize, those coercive actors. Presently, there is no bigger aggressor against persons and their private property than the state. It is for this reason that Libertarians are in favor of strictly limited (if not eliminated) government. A smaller government necessarily precipitates less compulsion. Income taxes, minimum wage laws, conscription, regulations, sanctions, and so on would all be minimized or gotten rid of in a Libertarian society. To end these government actions is to end aggressive force and increase liberty.

But why does anyone support getting rid of minimum wage laws, child labor laws, food regulation, increases in Medicare and Medicaid, the IRS, CIA, EPA, etc? Don’t we need this from the government? Why be a Libertarian?

Ah, the magic question: why be a libertarian. Indeed, for those new to the ideology, Libertarianism sounds scary – no government to regulate and make sure everything is OK?! But, when examined, Libertarianism not only produces the most efficient economies and societies; it also is the only consistently ethical philosophy known to man. Libertarianism makes no exceptions for the way law should be applied. Everyone is simply free to act voluntarily and peacefully. When a coercive act is taken, it is punished.

Conservatives like to speak of small government, but they don’t really mean it. Sure, they support less government in the economy, but they have the moral high ground to tell you what you can do with your own body, e.g., the illegality of drugs and abortion.

Liberals don’t like the government to outlaw things like abortion, but think it abhorrent that you should be allowed to decide for yourself to work for less than $7.35 per hour. Why, you shouldn’t work at all before you work at that wage!

And then there’s the Libertarian with a simple message: Government get out of the way. In all aspects of life, Libertarians believe people should be free to engage in any activity they wish, at any pay they wish, so long as it is peaceful and voluntary. It is not for others to tell you how to act or decide what is good for you. You own your own body and property, not the government. Libertarians are the only people who truly believe and follow this truth. And that is why I am a Libertarian.