What does it mean to be a libertarian?

Question

More specifically...what are their politicall views on the War on Terror, Gun Control, Same Sex Marriage, Abortion, and the Economy?

Answer 1

libertarians are as varied as any other group, but generally they think that every individual is sovereign and so long as what you do doesn't conflict with anyone else, go right ahead

Answer 2

All the above answers are great. I consider myself a libertarian.

In a nutshell, Libertarians look up to the constitution for guidance on these issues. If the constitution doesn't prohibit it, it's okay, as long as you're not infringing on other people's liberties.

So, "War on Terror", would be frowned upon, because it has no limits.. because terrorism doesn't have borders or time limits or laws, and there are no single individual or groups - there are many. And terrorism is an idea, and the result is fear. You can declare war against a country, but how do you declar war against an enemy that has no country? How do you fight a war on an idea or a feeling (fear & terror)? It's like declaring war on evil... how the hell do you think it will ever end? And the constitution limits the powers of governments to declare wars, so an unending war would not be allowed by the constitution.

Gun Control is pretty clear cut. It is not about guns - it's about control. And the constitution clearly states that the right to bear arms cannot be taken away. The idea is to keep checks and balances on governments so that if the government becomes corrupt and abuses power, the citizenry can rise up against it, or defend themselves against tyrrany.

Same Sex marriage is not the jurisdiction of the government. The states can create their own regulations on that. There is nothing in the constitution that prohibits same sex marriage.

Abortion issue is more about preserving the life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for the infant. In that sense, if the fetus is human, it should have the right to life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness.

The economy issue is more about free (un-managed) trade and responsible and accountable spending and budgeting. There should be little or no restricitons to trade, because the constitution doesn't prohibit free trade. There should be little or no taxes, because taxes harm the economy and the people's earning and spending power.

Answer 3

It typically means no government involvement. True libertarians have the following views:

Gun control - the government has no right to put into laws anything affecting guns, anyone can have any type of weapon.

Same Sex marriage- again government does not have a say in who marries who

Abortion - Anyone can have an abortion at anytime of pregnancy

Economy - Most believe in little tax. Let the free market reign.

As far the war on terror that is a bit harder, since some libertarians are split, people should defend themselves and their property, no military .. and others feel that the governments only role should be in defending its people, but not have any other role in society...


Meathook:
A libertarian may not agree with abortion at all, however they mostly believe that the government should not make laws governing it.. again there may be some libertarians who do believe there should be laws, but by and large libertarians do not want government intrusion on private lives...

I'm not a Libertarian.. and I'm against abortion at any time. even 1 hour after conception

Answer 4

We believe the government needs to be there for defense, the protection of property and personal safety. That is it. They need to get out of regulating anything people do with their own bodies and or own situation. They need to legalize drugs, prostitution and have no gun controls whatsoever. They must shrink govt dramatically and get rid of the depts of education, labor, housing and nasa, to name a few. The poor prosper best when their are good jobs from freedom and low taxes. The govt is destroying our economy long term by the Republicans increasing descretionary spending by 40% the last 12 years and we all need to oppose their corruption and speak up for freedom.

Answer 5

It is about an emphasis on your civil liberties. If something is not outright banned by the constitution it would be OK in the Libertarian point of view as long as it did not infringe on other people's liberties. Gun control would not be OK because the right to bear arms is guaranteed by the constitution.

edit - alexg DO Libertarians really believe that abortions are ok during any point in pregnancy? What about the rights and liberties of the unborn baby?

Edit alexg thanks for the clarification.

Answer 6

Libertarians believe in minimal government, minimum federal or state regulation and maximal personal liberties -- do what you want, as long as people don't hurt each other.

We oppose regulating morality, and believe in personal choice as opposed to government imposed paternalism. We think the economy is best served by allowing the market it regulate itself, without government interference.

We reject discrimination, and believe that everyone should be treated equally under the law, unless they do something criminal to lose those protections. To that end, we believe that guns should be available to anyone who can use them safely, but come down hard on people who commit violent crimes.

As to the "war on terror", we recognize that it is a marketing phrase with very little meaning. We strongly support going after the individual terrorist groups and criminals who are a threat. But we oppose wasting lives and money on what is effectively a political statement and a guilty conscience in Iraq.

Answer 7

libertarians belief in little governement control and personal freedom and person responcibility.

I don't know where they stand on the war

gun control- they are against or very lenient on

same sex marriage- for or for civil union

abortion- pro-choice. don't know where they stand on late-term abotions

economy- having less gov control and more people running it. most are against social security

Answer 8

Libertarians want to legalize pot. They think that the government is getting in the way of their having a good time.

Answer 9

Generally what America was founded on.
A consitutionally limited republic.
"A republican form of government."
Socially liberal and fiscally conservative.

The answers given already are all pretty good.
Obviously people can't agree on everything.

Don't use government to steal from others.