PREAMBLE
As Libertarians, we seek a world of liberty; a world in
which all individuals are sovereign over their own
lives and no one is forced to sacrifice his or her
values for the benefit of others.
We believe that respect for individual rights is the
essential precondition for a free and prosperous
world, that force and fraud must be banished from
human relationships, and that only through freedom
can peace and prosperity be realized.
Consequently, we defend each person's right to
engage in any activity that is peaceful and honest,
and welcome the diversity that freedom brings. The
world we seek to build is one where individuals are
free to follow their own dreams in their own ways,
without interference from government or any
authoritarian power.
In the following pages we have set forth our basic
principles and enumerated various policy stands
derived from those principles.
These specific policies are not our goal, however. Our
goal is nothing more nor less than a world set free in
our lifetime, and it is to this end that we take these
stands.
STATEMENT OF PRINCIPLES
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.
1.0 Personal Liberty
Individuals should be free to make choices for
themselves and to accept responsibility for the
consequences of the choices they make. No
individual, group, or government may initiate force
against any other individual, group, or government.
Our support of an individual's right to make choices
in life does not mean that we necessarily approve or
disapprove of those choices.
1.1 Expression and Communication
We support full freedom of expression and oppose
government censorship, regulation or control of
communications media and technology. We favor the
freedom to engage in or abstain from any religious
activities that do not violate the rights of others. We
oppose government actions which either aid or attack
any religion.
1.2 Personal Privacy
Libertarians support the rights recognized by the
Fourth Amendment to be secure in our persons,
homes, and property. Protection from unreasonable
search and seizure should include records held by
third parties, such as email, medical, and library
records. Only actions that infringe on the rights of
others can properly be termed crimes. We favor the
repeal of all laws creating “crimes” without victims,
such as the use of drugs for medicinal or recreational
purposes.
1.3 Personal Relationships
Sexual orientation, preference, gender, or gender
identity should have no impact on the government's
treatment of individuals, such as in current marriage,
child custody, adoption, immigration or military
service laws. Government does not have the authority
to define, license or restrict personal relationships.
Consenting adults should be free to choose their own
sexual practices and personal relationships.
1.4 Abortion
Recognizing that abortion is a sensitive issue and that
people can hold good-faith views on all sides, we
believe that government should be kept out of the
matter, leaving the question to each person for their
conscientious consideration.
1.5 Crime and Justice
Government exists to protect the rights of every
individual including life, liberty and property.
Criminal laws should be limited to violation of the
rights of others through force or fraud, or deliberate
actions that place others involuntarily at significant
risk of harm. Individuals retain the right to voluntarily
assume risk of harm to themselves. We support
restitution to the victim to the fullest degree possible
at the expense of the criminal or the negligent
wrongdoer. We oppose reduction of constitutional
safeguards of the rights of the criminally accused.
The rights of due process, a speedy trial, legal
counsel, trial by jury, and the legal presumption of
innocence until proven guilty, must not be denied. We
assert the common-law right of juries to judge not
only the facts but also the justice of the law.
1.6 Self-Defense
The only legitimate use of force is in defense of
individual rights — life, liberty, and justly acquired
property — against aggression. This right inheres in
the individual, who may agree to be aided by any
other individual or group. We affirm the individual
right recognized by the Second Amendment to keep
and bear arms, and oppose the prosecution of
individuals for exercising their rights of self-defense.
We oppose all laws at any level of government
requiring registration of, or restricting, the
ownership, manufacture, or transfer or sale of
firearms or ammunition.
2.0 Economic Liberty
Libertarians want all members of society to have
abundant opportunities to achieve economic success.
A free and competitive market allocates resources in
the most efficient manner. Each person has the right
to offer goods and services to others on the free
market. The only proper role of government in the
economic realm is to protect property rights,
adjudicate disputes, and provide a legal framework in
which voluntary trade is protected. All efforts by
government to redistribute wealth, or to control or
manage trade, are improper in a free society.
2.1 Property and Contract
Property rights are entitled to the same protection as
all other human rights. The owners of property have
the full right to control, use, dispose of, or in any
manner enjoy, their property without interference,
until and unless the exercise of their control infringes
the valid rights of others. We oppose all controls on
wages, prices, rents, profits, production, and interest
rates. We advocate the repeal of all laws banning or
restricting the advertising of prices, products, or
services. We oppose all violations of the right to
private property, liberty of contract, and freedom of
trade. The right to trade includes the right not to
trade — for any reasons whatsoever. Where property,
including land, has been taken from its rightful
owners by the government or private action in
violation of individual rights, we favor restitution to
the rightful owners.
2.2 Environment
We support a clean and healthy environment and
sensible use of our natural resources. Private
landowners and conservation groups have a vested
interest in maintaining natural resources. Pollution
and misuse of resources cause damage to our
ecosystem. Governments, unlike private businesses,
are unaccountable for such damage done to our
environment and have a terrible track record when it
comes to environmental protection. Protecting the
environment requires a clear definition and
enforcement of individual rights in resources like
land, water, air, and wildlife. Free markets and
property rights stimulate the technological
innovations and behavioral changes required to
protect our environment and ecosystems. We realize
that our planet's climate is constantly changing, but
environmental advocates and social pressure are the
most effective means of changing public behavior.
2.3 Energy and Resources
While energy is needed to fuel a modern society,
government should not be subsidizing any particular
form of energy. We oppose all government control of
energy pricing, allocation, and production.
2.4 Government Finance and Spending
All persons are entitled to keep the fruits of their
labor. We call for the repeal of the income tax, the
abolishment of the Internal Revenue Service and all
federal programs and services not required under the
U.S. Constitution. We oppose any legal requirements
forcing employers to serve as tax collectors.
Government should not incur debt, which burdens
future generations without their consent. We support
the passage of a "Balanced Budget Amendment" to
the U.S. Constitution, provided that the budget is
balanced exclusively by cutting expenditures, and not
by raising taxes.
2.5 Money and Financial Markets
We favor free-market banking, with unrestricted
competition among banks and depository institutions
of all types. Individuals engaged in voluntary
exchange should be free to use as money any
mutually agreeable commodity or item. We support a
halt to inflationary monetary policies and
unconstitutional legal tender laws.
2.6 Monopolies and Corporations
We defend the right of individuals to form
corporations, cooperatives and other types of
companies based on voluntary association. We seek
to divest government of all functions that can be
provided by non-governmental organizations or
private individuals. We oppose government subsidies
to business, labor, or any other special interest.
Industries should be governed by free markets.
2.7 Labor Markets
We support repeal of all laws which impede the ability
of any person to find employment. We oppose
government-fostered forced retirement. We support
the right of free persons to associate or not associate
in labor unions, and an employer should have the
right to recognize or refuse to recognize a union. We
oppose government interference in bargaining, such
as compulsory arbitration or imposing an obligation
to bargain.
2.8 Education
Education is best provided by the free market,
achieving greater quality, accountability and
efficiency with more diversity of choice. Recognizing
that the education of children is a parental
responsibility, we would restore authority to parents
to determine the education of their children, without
interference from government. Parents should have
control of and responsibility for all funds expended
for their children's education.
2.9 Health Care
We favor restoring and reviving a free market health
care system. We recognize the freedom of individuals
to determine the level of health insurance they want
(if any), the level of health care they want, the care
providers they want, the medicines and treatments
they will use and all other aspects of their medical
care, including end-of-life decisions. People should
be free to purchase health insurance across state
lines.
2.10 Retirement and Income Security
Retirement planning is the responsibility of the
individual, not the government. Libertarians would
phase out the current government-sponsored Social
Security system and transition to a private voluntary
system. The proper and most effective source of help
for the poor is the voluntary efforts of private groups
and individuals. We believe members of society will
become more charitable and civil society will be
strengthened as government reduces its activity in
this realm.
3.0 Securing Liberty
The protection of individual rights is the only proper
purpose of government. Government is
constitutionally limited so as to prevent the
infringement of individual rights by the government
itself. The principle of non-initiation of force should
guide the relationships between governments.
3.1 National Defense
We support the maintenance of a sufficient military to
defend the United States against aggression. The
United States should both avoid entangling alliances
and abandon its attempts to act as policeman for the
world. We oppose any form of compulsory national
service.
3.2 Internal Security and Individual Rights
The defense of the country requires that we have
adequate intelligence to detect and to counter threats
to domestic security. This requirement must not take
priority over maintaining the civil liberties of our
citizens. The Constitution and Bill of Rights shall not
be suspended even during time of war. Intelligence
agencies that legitimately seek to preserve the
security of the nation must be subject to oversight
and transparency. We oppose the government's use of
secret classifications to keep from the public
information that it should have, especially that which
shows that the government has violated the law.
3.3 International Affairs
American foreign policy should seek an America at
peace with the world. Our foreign policy should
emphasize defense against attack from abroad and
enhance the likelihood of peace by avoiding foreign
entanglements. We would end the current U.S.
government policy of foreign intervention, including
military and economic aid. We recognize the right of
all people to resist tyranny and defend themselves
and their rights. We condemn the use of force, and
especially the use of terrorism, against the innocent,
regardless of whether such acts are committed by
governments or by political or revolutionary groups.
3.4 Free Trade and Migration
We support the removal of governmental
impediments to free trade. Political freedom and
escape from tyranny demand that individuals not be
unreasonably constrained by government in the
crossing of political boundaries. Economic freedom
demands the unrestricted movement of human as
well as financial capital across national borders.
However, we support control over the entry into our
country of foreign nationals who pose a credible
threat to security, health or property.
3.5 Rights and Discrimination
Libertarians embrace the concept that all people are
born with certain inherent rights. We reject the idea
that a natural right can ever impose an obligation
upon others to fulfill that "right." We condemn bigotry
as irrational and repugnant. Government should
neither deny nor abridge any individual's human right
based upon sex, wealth, ethnicity, creed, age,
national origin, personal habits, political preference
or sexual orientation. Parents, or other guardians,
have the right to raise their children according to
their own standards and beliefs. This statement shall
not be construed to condone child abuse or neglect.
3.6 Representative Government
We support election systems that are more
representative of the electorate at the federal, state
and local levels. As private voluntary groups, political
parties should be allowed to establish their own rules
for nomination procedures, primaries and
conventions. We call for an end to any tax-financed
subsidies to candidates or parties and the repeal of
all laws which restrict voluntary financing of election
campaigns. We oppose laws that effectively exclude
alternative candidates and parties, deny ballot access,
gerrymander districts, or deny the voters their right
to consider all legitimate alternatives. We advocate
initiative, referendum, recall and repeal when used as
popular checks on government.
3.7 Self-Determination
Whenever any form of government becomes
destructive of individual liberty, it is the right of the
people to alter or to abolish it, and to agree to such
new governance as to them shall seem most likely to
protect their liberty.
As Libertarians, we seek a world of liberty; a world in
which all individuals are sovereign over their own
lives and no one is forced to sacrifice his or her
values for the benefit of others.
We believe that respect for individual rights is the
essential precondition for a free and prosperous
world, that force and fraud must be banished from
human relationships, and that only through freedom
can peace and prosperity be realized.
Consequently, we defend each person's right to
engage in any activity that is peaceful and honest,
and welcome the diversity that freedom brings. The
world we seek to build is one where individuals are
free to follow their own dreams in their own ways,
without interference from government or any
authoritarian power.
In the following pages we have set forth our basic
principles and enumerated various policy stands
derived from those principles.
These specific policies are not our goal, however. Our
goal is nothing more nor less than a world set free in
our lifetime, and it is to this end that we take these
stands.
STATEMENT OF PRINCIPLES
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.
1.0 Personal Liberty
Individuals should be free to make choices for
themselves and to accept responsibility for the
consequences of the choices they make. No
individual, group, or government may initiate force
against any other individual, group, or government.
Our support of an individual's right to make choices
in life does not mean that we necessarily approve or
disapprove of those choices.
1.1 Expression and Communication
We support full freedom of expression and oppose
government censorship, regulation or control of
communications media and technology. We favor the
freedom to engage in or abstain from any religious
activities that do not violate the rights of others. We
oppose government actions which either aid or attack
any religion.
1.2 Personal Privacy
Libertarians support the rights recognized by the
Fourth Amendment to be secure in our persons,
homes, and property. Protection from unreasonable
search and seizure should include records held by
third parties, such as email, medical, and library
records. Only actions that infringe on the rights of
others can properly be termed crimes. We favor the
repeal of all laws creating “crimes” without victims,
such as the use of drugs for medicinal or recreational
purposes.
1.3 Personal Relationships
Sexual orientation, preference, gender, or gender
identity should have no impact on the government's
treatment of individuals, such as in current marriage,
child custody, adoption, immigration or military
service laws. Government does not have the authority
to define, license or restrict personal relationships.
Consenting adults should be free to choose their own
sexual practices and personal relationships.
1.4 Abortion
Recognizing that abortion is a sensitive issue and that
people can hold good-faith views on all sides, we
believe that government should be kept out of the
matter, leaving the question to each person for their
conscientious consideration.
1.5 Crime and Justice
Government exists to protect the rights of every
individual including life, liberty and property.
Criminal laws should be limited to violation of the
rights of others through force or fraud, or deliberate
actions that place others involuntarily at significant
risk of harm. Individuals retain the right to voluntarily
assume risk of harm to themselves. We support
restitution to the victim to the fullest degree possible
at the expense of the criminal or the negligent
wrongdoer. We oppose reduction of constitutional
safeguards of the rights of the criminally accused.
The rights of due process, a speedy trial, legal
counsel, trial by jury, and the legal presumption of
innocence until proven guilty, must not be denied. We
assert the common-law right of juries to judge not
only the facts but also the justice of the law.
1.6 Self-Defense
The only legitimate use of force is in defense of
individual rights — life, liberty, and justly acquired
property — against aggression. This right inheres in
the individual, who may agree to be aided by any
other individual or group. We affirm the individual
right recognized by the Second Amendment to keep
and bear arms, and oppose the prosecution of
individuals for exercising their rights of self-defense.
We oppose all laws at any level of government
requiring registration of, or restricting, the
ownership, manufacture, or transfer or sale of
firearms or ammunition.
2.0 Economic Liberty
Libertarians want all members of society to have
abundant opportunities to achieve economic success.
A free and competitive market allocates resources in
the most efficient manner. Each person has the right
to offer goods and services to others on the free
market. The only proper role of government in the
economic realm is to protect property rights,
adjudicate disputes, and provide a legal framework in
which voluntary trade is protected. All efforts by
government to redistribute wealth, or to control or
manage trade, are improper in a free society.
2.1 Property and Contract
Property rights are entitled to the same protection as
all other human rights. The owners of property have
the full right to control, use, dispose of, or in any
manner enjoy, their property without interference,
until and unless the exercise of their control infringes
the valid rights of others. We oppose all controls on
wages, prices, rents, profits, production, and interest
rates. We advocate the repeal of all laws banning or
restricting the advertising of prices, products, or
services. We oppose all violations of the right to
private property, liberty of contract, and freedom of
trade. The right to trade includes the right not to
trade — for any reasons whatsoever. Where property,
including land, has been taken from its rightful
owners by the government or private action in
violation of individual rights, we favor restitution to
the rightful owners.
2.2 Environment
We support a clean and healthy environment and
sensible use of our natural resources. Private
landowners and conservation groups have a vested
interest in maintaining natural resources. Pollution
and misuse of resources cause damage to our
ecosystem. Governments, unlike private businesses,
are unaccountable for such damage done to our
environment and have a terrible track record when it
comes to environmental protection. Protecting the
environment requires a clear definition and
enforcement of individual rights in resources like
land, water, air, and wildlife. Free markets and
property rights stimulate the technological
innovations and behavioral changes required to
protect our environment and ecosystems. We realize
that our planet's climate is constantly changing, but
environmental advocates and social pressure are the
most effective means of changing public behavior.
2.3 Energy and Resources
While energy is needed to fuel a modern society,
government should not be subsidizing any particular
form of energy. We oppose all government control of
energy pricing, allocation, and production.
2.4 Government Finance and Spending
All persons are entitled to keep the fruits of their
labor. We call for the repeal of the income tax, the
abolishment of the Internal Revenue Service and all
federal programs and services not required under the
U.S. Constitution. We oppose any legal requirements
forcing employers to serve as tax collectors.
Government should not incur debt, which burdens
future generations without their consent. We support
the passage of a "Balanced Budget Amendment" to
the U.S. Constitution, provided that the budget is
balanced exclusively by cutting expenditures, and not
by raising taxes.
2.5 Money and Financial Markets
We favor free-market banking, with unrestricted
competition among banks and depository institutions
of all types. Individuals engaged in voluntary
exchange should be free to use as money any
mutually agreeable commodity or item. We support a
halt to inflationary monetary policies and
unconstitutional legal tender laws.
2.6 Monopolies and Corporations
We defend the right of individuals to form
corporations, cooperatives and other types of
companies based on voluntary association. We seek
to divest government of all functions that can be
provided by non-governmental organizations or
private individuals. We oppose government subsidies
to business, labor, or any other special interest.
Industries should be governed by free markets.
2.7 Labor Markets
We support repeal of all laws which impede the ability
of any person to find employment. We oppose
government-fostered forced retirement. We support
the right of free persons to associate or not associate
in labor unions, and an employer should have the
right to recognize or refuse to recognize a union. We
oppose government interference in bargaining, such
as compulsory arbitration or imposing an obligation
to bargain.
2.8 Education
Education is best provided by the free market,
achieving greater quality, accountability and
efficiency with more diversity of choice. Recognizing
that the education of children is a parental
responsibility, we would restore authority to parents
to determine the education of their children, without
interference from government. Parents should have
control of and responsibility for all funds expended
for their children's education.
2.9 Health Care
We favor restoring and reviving a free market health
care system. We recognize the freedom of individuals
to determine the level of health insurance they want
(if any), the level of health care they want, the care
providers they want, the medicines and treatments
they will use and all other aspects of their medical
care, including end-of-life decisions. People should
be free to purchase health insurance across state
lines.
2.10 Retirement and Income Security
Retirement planning is the responsibility of the
individual, not the government. Libertarians would
phase out the current government-sponsored Social
Security system and transition to a private voluntary
system. The proper and most effective source of help
for the poor is the voluntary efforts of private groups
and individuals. We believe members of society will
become more charitable and civil society will be
strengthened as government reduces its activity in
this realm.
3.0 Securing Liberty
The protection of individual rights is the only proper
purpose of government. Government is
constitutionally limited so as to prevent the
infringement of individual rights by the government
itself. The principle of non-initiation of force should
guide the relationships between governments.
3.1 National Defense
We support the maintenance of a sufficient military to
defend the United States against aggression. The
United States should both avoid entangling alliances
and abandon its attempts to act as policeman for the
world. We oppose any form of compulsory national
service.
3.2 Internal Security and Individual Rights
The defense of the country requires that we have
adequate intelligence to detect and to counter threats
to domestic security. This requirement must not take
priority over maintaining the civil liberties of our
citizens. The Constitution and Bill of Rights shall not
be suspended even during time of war. Intelligence
agencies that legitimately seek to preserve the
security of the nation must be subject to oversight
and transparency. We oppose the government's use of
secret classifications to keep from the public
information that it should have, especially that which
shows that the government has violated the law.
3.3 International Affairs
American foreign policy should seek an America at
peace with the world. Our foreign policy should
emphasize defense against attack from abroad and
enhance the likelihood of peace by avoiding foreign
entanglements. We would end the current U.S.
government policy of foreign intervention, including
military and economic aid. We recognize the right of
all people to resist tyranny and defend themselves
and their rights. We condemn the use of force, and
especially the use of terrorism, against the innocent,
regardless of whether such acts are committed by
governments or by political or revolutionary groups.
3.4 Free Trade and Migration
We support the removal of governmental
impediments to free trade. Political freedom and
escape from tyranny demand that individuals not be
unreasonably constrained by government in the
crossing of political boundaries. Economic freedom
demands the unrestricted movement of human as
well as financial capital across national borders.
However, we support control over the entry into our
country of foreign nationals who pose a credible
threat to security, health or property.
3.5 Rights and Discrimination
Libertarians embrace the concept that all people are
born with certain inherent rights. We reject the idea
that a natural right can ever impose an obligation
upon others to fulfill that "right." We condemn bigotry
as irrational and repugnant. Government should
neither deny nor abridge any individual's human right
based upon sex, wealth, ethnicity, creed, age,
national origin, personal habits, political preference
or sexual orientation. Parents, or other guardians,
have the right to raise their children according to
their own standards and beliefs. This statement shall
not be construed to condone child abuse or neglect.
3.6 Representative Government
We support election systems that are more
representative of the electorate at the federal, state
and local levels. As private voluntary groups, political
parties should be allowed to establish their own rules
for nomination procedures, primaries and
conventions. We call for an end to any tax-financed
subsidies to candidates or parties and the repeal of
all laws which restrict voluntary financing of election
campaigns. We oppose laws that effectively exclude
alternative candidates and parties, deny ballot access,
gerrymander districts, or deny the voters their right
to consider all legitimate alternatives. We advocate
initiative, referendum, recall and repeal when used as
popular checks on government.
3.7 Self-Determination
Whenever any form of government becomes
destructive of individual liberty, it is the right of the
people to alter or to abolish it, and to agree to such
new governance as to them shall seem most likely to
protect their liberty.