Debate: Libertarianism

Is the libertarian principle of smaller government and more private property a good idea?

Background and Context of Debate:

Libertarians believe that control should be removed from the government and handed over to private individuals. They think that all interaction with organizations, including government, should be entirely voluntary and people should have the choice to participate in the actions they wish to take part in. People have suggested that enacting the libertarian vision would be a disaster as people who are disabled, for instance, would receive no support form the government.

Would people unable to work survive in a libertarian society?

Yes

• People will receive money from charities. If, for some reason, people are unable to work and they are not able to make money they would still survive as they would receive money from charities.
• People will receive money from families. If, for some reason, people are unable to work and they are not able to make money they would still survive as they would receive money from there families, who would clearly want them to survive.

No

• Without receiving any government support they would have no means of survival. Sometimes people who are unable to work may receive no income other than that from the government. If the income from the government is removed, they will receive no income.
• It is unethical to allow people to suffer. It is completely unethical to allow people to suffer because of some form of disability. Government is an important way of helping disabled people.

Should all interaction with government be voluntary?

Yes

• People should not be forced to interact with any organization on a non voluntary basis. Even when people do not want to interact with the government, they are currently forced to do so. By making things voluntary this would remove this problem.
• People can be trusted to make the right choices. When people are given the choice of whether they want to enroll in a system of government, they are likely to choose the one that is best for themselves and society, whether government or no government is a better choice.

No

• Making all government interaction voluntary would cause a huge increase in crime. All criminals would choose not to interact with government, and, as a result, no one is preventing them from committing crimes.
• People can not always be trusted to make the right choices. Without compulsory government, it would be down to individuals to make the right choices. As some people do not make the right choices, this would result in a crises.

Is the libertarian idea of smaller government a good idea?

Yes

• People should be able to choose. By having government people are restricted in their freedom of choice as the government restricts what people are able to do. Having more private property will mean that the general public will not have to pay for property that they have never used.

No

• People need government to prevent them from making mistakes. The laws enacted by the government are there to protect people and prevent them from making mistakes. They are needed for a fully functioning society.
• People can not always be trusted to make the right choices. With smaller government, it would be down to individuals to make the right choices. As some people do not make the right choices, this would result in a crises.

Does the Libertarian party follow the principles of Libertarianism?

Yes

• All people joining the Libertarian party a required to confirm they are Libertarian. When you join the Libertarian, you a required to see that you believe in smaller government and the non initiation of force. These are key Libertarian principles.

No

• Some Libertarian party members are not Libertarians. Some members of the Libertarian Party believe in government restrictions on issues like drugs and immigration. This stance is not the traditional Libertarian stance.

Would crime increase in a Libertarian society?

Yes

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No

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See also

External links

• Libertarian Party home page
• Free State Project, a Libertarian organization
• Wikipedia article on Libertarianism