When I started this website I wanted to educate as many people as I could on the philosophy of Libertarianism. As somebody who was influenced by many great Libertarian thinkers, I thought I could provide a unique outlook on the philosophy that has now shaped my life.
With this in mind, I am starting a new series of articles on The Libertarian Vindicator to showcase the philosophy that has brought everyone here. This is a philosophy that stands the test of time and will bring this country back into prosperity.
The first lesson will center around the Statement of Principles. The foundation to the Libertarian philosophy that guides all the issues that exist in our society.
We, the members of the Libertarian Party, challenge the cult of the omnipotent state and defend the rights of the individual.
We hold that all individuals have the right to exercise sole dominion over their own lives, and have the right to live in whatever manner they choose, so long as they do not forcibly interfere with the equal right of others to live in whatever manner they choose.
Governments throughout history have regularly operated on the opposite principle, that the State has the right to dispose of the lives of individuals and the fruits of their labor. Even within the United States, all political parties other than our own grant to government the right to regulate the lives of individuals and seize the fruits of their labor without their consent.
We, on the contrary, deny the right of any government to do these things, and hold that where governments exist, they must not violate the rights of any individual: namely, (1) the right to life—accordingly we support the prohibition of the initiation of physical force against others; (2) the right to liberty of speech and action—accordingly we oppose all attempts by government to abridge the freedom of speech and press, as well as government censorship in any form; and (3) the right to property—accordingly we oppose all government interference with private property, such as confiscation, nationalization, and eminent domain, and support the prohibition of robbery, trespass, fraud, and misrepresentation.
Since governments, when instituted, must not violate individual rights, we oppose all interference by government in the areas of voluntary and contractual relations among individuals. People should not be forced to sacrifice their lives and property for the benefit of others. They should be left free by government to deal with one another as free traders; and the resultant economic system, the only one compatible with the protection of individual rights, is the free market.
This Statement of Principles is based off one key notion, the individual. The individual is the basis for all action taken by the government and vice versa. Denying people their individual liberty the most egregious action government can take against its citizenry.
The sole dominion over your own life is a key fundamental to the Libertarian principle. You and only you have the ability to decide what is best for you and your life. You have the responsibility to set a course of action in your own terms and having the government standing in your way violates the most essential freedom to live.
When you apply this principle to issues and situations that might arise out of our society it provides a basis for dealing with those issues. If the government wants to take an action against the people there should be 3 main questions. Doesn’t it violate my right to life? Does it violate my Liberty? Does it violate my right to property?
This standard will guide any answer to a situation that might arise in any society. If the answer is yes to any of these questions then the government shouldn’t be allowed to partake in that action.
The Libertarian Party Statement of Principles is a guiding document in Libertarianism. It could be said that if you don’t agree with the following then you probably aren’t a Libertarian. Many try to claim that badge daily, especially members of the government, but if they violate those principles then they violate their right to being called a Libertarian. It is fundamental and uncompromising.
The following articles in this series will focus on the party platform. The education of the masses is key to the success and vibrancy of Liberty.
