What are Objectivist views on Libertarianism, and what are the similarities and differences between the two?
by William Thomas Libertarianism is the political position that all human relationships should be voluntary, i.e. not subject to the initiation of force by another person. Inasmuch as this is also part of the Objectivist politics, Objectivism is a libertarian philosophy. Not all libertarian thinking is compatible with Objectivism, and some libertarians promote philosophical ideas that would destroy liberty if put into practice, such as skepticism, ethical subjectivism, and anarchism. But the libertarian movement in general is a positive force for political change, one to which Objectivists have valuable moral and epistemological knowledge to contribute and one from which Objectivists can learn about the politics, economics, and history of freedom… …A libertarian holds that a proper political order protects its citizens from the initiation of physical force. This means, effectively, protecting a person’s rights to life, liberty, and property. As David Boaz of the Cato Institute writ
by William Thomas Libertarianism is the political position that all human relationships should be voluntary, i.e. not subject to the initiation of force by another person. Inasmuch as this is also part of the Objectivist politics, Objectivism is a libertarian philosophy. Not all libertarian thinking is compatible with Objectivism, and some libertarians promote philosophical ideas that would destroy liberty if put into practice, such as skepticism, ethical subjectivism, and anarchism. But the libertarian movement in general is a positive force for political change, one to which Objectivists have valuable moral and epistemological knowledge to contribute and one from which Objectivists can learn about the politics, economics, and history of freedom… …A libertarian holds that a proper political order protects its citizens from the initiation of physical force. This means, effectively, protecting a person’s rights to life, liberty, and property. As David Boaz of the Cato Institute writ
Related Questions
- What should non-Muslims know about key similarities and differences between Islamic and Judeo-Christian traditions?
- What are Objectivist views on Libertarianism, and what are the similarities and differences between the two?
- What are similarities and differences in the trajectories of the movements in Germany and Italy?