The essence of liberty: What is it that really makes one a libertarian?

LP News ^ | March 1995 | David F. Nolan

[jackbob]

html> LP News Mar95 - The essence of liberty: What is it that really makes one a libertarian?

March 1995

The essence of liberty: What is it that really makes one a libertarian? By David F. Nolan As a founder of the Libertarian Party and editor-in-chief of California Liberty, I am often asked how to tell if someone is "really" a libertarian. This question has arisen more often than usual in the past few months, as more and more politicians are starting to use libertarian-sounding rhetoric-and it's a point worth raising. There are probably as many different definitions of the word "libertarian" as there are people who claim the label. These range from overly broad ("anyone who calls himself a libertarian is one") to impossibly doctrinaire ("only those who agree with every word in the party platform are truly anointed"). My own definition is that in order to be considered a libertarian, at least in the political context, an individual must adhere without compromise to five key points. Ideally, of course, we'd all be in agreement on everything. But we're not, and probably never will be. Debate is likely to continue indefinitely on such matters as abortion, foreign policy, and whether, when, and how various government programs can be discontinued or privatized. But as far as I'm concerned, if someone is sound on these five points, he/she is de facto a libertarian; if he fails on even one of the five, he isn't. What, then, are the "indispensable five"-the points of no compromise? You Own Yourself First and foremost, libertarians believe in the principle of self-ownership. You own your own body and mind; no external power has the right to force you into the service of "society" or "mankind" or any other individual or group for any purpose, however noble. Slavery is wrong, period. Because you own yourself, you are responsible for your own well-being. Others are not obligated to feed you, clothe you, or provide you with health care. Most of us choose to help one another voluntarily, for a variety of reasons-and that's as it should be-but "forced compassion" is an oxymoron, a contradiction in terms. The Right to Self-Defense Self-ownership implies the right to self-defense. Libertarians yield to no one in their support for our right as individuals to keep and bear arms. We wish only that the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution said, "The right to self-defense being inalienable . . . " instead of that stuff about a "well-regulated militia." Anyone who thinks that government-any government-has the right to disarm its citizens is NOT a libertarian! No "Criminal Possession" Laws In fact, libertarians believe that individuals have the right to own and use anything-gold, guns, marijuana, sexually explicit material-so long as they do not harm others through force or the threat of force. Laws criminalizing the simple possession of anything are tailor-made for police states; it is all too easy to plant a forbidden substance in someone's home, car, or pocket. Libertarians are as tough on crime-real crime-as anyone. But criminal possession laws are an affront to liberty, whatever the rhetoric used to defend them. No Taxes on Productivity In an ideal world, there would be no taxation. All services would be paid for on an as-used basis. But in a less-than-ideal world, some services will be force-financed for the foreseeable future. However, not all taxes are equally deleterious, and the worst form of taxation is a tax on productivity-i.e. an "income" tax-and no libertarian supports this type of taxation. What kind of taxation is least harmful? This is a topic still open for debate. My own preference is for a single tax on land, with landholders doing their own valuation; you'd state the price at which you'd be willing to sell your land, and pay taxes on that amount. Anyone (including the tax collector) who wanted to buy it at that price could do so. This is simple, fair, and minimizes government snooping into our lives and business. Is this "the" libertarian position on taxes? No. But all libertarians oppose any form of income tax. A Sound Money System The fifth and final key test of anyone's claim to being a libertarian is their support for an honest money system; i.e. one where the currency is backed by something of true value (usually gold or silver). Fiat money-money with no backing, whose acceptance is mandated by the State-is simply legalized counterfeiting and is one of the keys to expanding government power. Conclusion The five points enumerated here are not a complete, comprehensive prescription for freedom . . . but they would take us most of the way. A government which cannot conscript, confiscate, or counterfeit, and which imposes no criminal penalties for the mere possession and peaceful use of anything, is one that almost all libertarians would be comfortable with.

[earplug]

After my 20 years of military service, it is amusing to see the lack of freedom that most servicemen would approve of. Most would wave a U.S. Flag over the dead bodies caused by our governments abuses of power. All in the name of freedom. Its getting worse due to our zero tolerance, zero history teaching government controled schools. NAMMARINE, have you ever wanted to nurse a baby in a moving car, with the tinted windows of your choice while armed with a 11 shot pistol? Can't do it, its not allowed!

[BillofRights]

What is it that really makes one a libertarian?

being STUPID???

What is it that makes one a Libertarian basher?

Being an ignorant AUTHORITARIAN!!!

[Eagle Eye]

You came very close to giving us a Gore Presidency.

Not at all, despite your claims. Let me explain it to you once again. Assuming a non-tainted, non-rigged voting pool, a candidate only gets to count the votes that are FOR that candidate. Votes that are NOT for that candidate are NOT subtracted from that candidate's total.

Your supposition is that my vote belonged to Bush and that I gave it to algore, neither of which is true.

Sometimes it is better to have an aknowledged opponent infront of you in the open than it is to have a hidden on behind you.

As for your Bush smear, everybody knows that Dan Burton's committee is a sieve of information to the liberal press

Case in point.Sometimes it is better to have an aknowledged opponent in front of you in the open than it is to have a hidden on behind you.

Do you really believe that Bush is seeking justice by sandbagging clinton into slumber so that Bush can blindside him later? I'd cheer it if he does, but I don't believe that's what he's doing.

We hollered when clinton abused Executive Privelge. Why accept it now?

[BillofRights]

Good post!

[jackbob]

What is it that really makes one a libertarian basher?

Your answer to the question is right on target. I might only add, that the bashers here at FR are like honey bees that have lost their stinger, and have no hive to return to. They just buzz around and around endlessly, without purpose or direction.

[jackbob]

...in order to better market his book.

I think I said that first here at FR, prior to him getting the nomination the second time. But I wouldn't call him an idiot for it.

[jackbob]

I think that would depend on how one defines wealth. There is a large body of literature that distinguishes wealth as the product of human creativity and labor. I'm sure Mr. Nolan stands against any tax on wealth.

[Eagle Eye]

Some of us promote freedom; others here on FR promote suppression of freedom.
It's a shame that some have their names so strongly associated with suppression freedoms.

[jackbob]

Therefore, those who support such actions OR FAIL TO CONDEMN THEM are just as guilty.

Agreed. Including in a small tiny way, some of those here at FR. ((:>)

[Eagle Eye]

After my 20 years of military service, it is amusing to see the lack of freedom that most servicemen would approve of.

And doing it in the name of Liberty at that!

[Liberal Classic]

Heck, let me take that a bit further. Considering that self-defense in one of the pillars of libertarianism, Browne's reaction to the WTC bombing makes it rather clear he's a LINO.

LINO!

I love it!

Who else is a LINO? Bill Maher!

[jackbob]

Count me out.

O K

[verity]

"What is it that really makes one a libertarian?"

Inadequate nurturing during adolescence.

[carenot]

The self valued land tax idea is an uncredited swipe from Heinlein.

I love the Heinlein books,other than the sex stuff he put in his later books.

I do have a problem with tax on land. I worked and saved and paid for my little bit of land. But do I own it? I guess I do unless sometime I am unable to pay the taxes on it.

Seems as though I am renting my land, year to year.

[TightSqueeze]

, if someone is sound on these five points, he/she is de facto a libertarian; if he fails on even one of the five, he isn't.

What, then, are the "indispensable five"-the points of no compromise?

Great article, I have personally struggled with libertarian concepts for quite some time, and it is good to see it so clearly written.
I currently classify myself as a reluctant conservative this alliance is founded on a single point of no compromise defined as pro-life that I share with other conservatives. Where do the libertarian’s stand on this issue and is it an uncompromising plank in the party? Politically I agree with the "indispensable five" if in fact one can be both libertarian and pro-life.

[thusevertotyrants]

You came very close to giving us a Gire presidancy.

So, the fact that 50 percent of the votes cast werent for Bush is someone the fault of a small segment of those voters? I speak only for myself, but I'll say this - Whichever party offers a candidate whose ideals are in accord with mine, that party's candidate gets my vote. This two-party thought system is a big part of what's wrong with our government. It's A or B, black or white, Republican or Democrat, you're either with us or against us In real life, things are just a little more complicated than that

[Eagle Eye]

Verity has now come out as being opposed to individual soveriegnty, opposed to the right of self-defense, in favor of anti-possession laws, in favor of income taxes, and opposed to a sound money system.

Do you feel better finally coming out of the closet?

[thusevertotyrants]

The issue has nothing to do with "life" It is about CHOICE. In cases where individuals cannot choose, their surrogates or guardians choose for them. The mother is the guardian of the fetus. Now, reread to the 1st tenet .............

[Eagle Eye]

Politically I agree with the "indispensable five" if in fact one can be both libertarian and pro-life.

Many, many are. Killing an unborn fetus is definately initiating force and is definately a procedure whose success depends on killing half the participants.