A major tenet of libertarian thinking is that the government should not become the conscience of the nation. As much as possible, ethical decisions should be left to the individual and local community. The following overview contains statements from the Libertarian platform that speak to their views on ethical issues.
Libertarian Party on Principles & Values (Source)
We seek a world of liberty & sovereign individuals
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.
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.
Source: 2014 Libertarian Party Platform, Nov 1, 2014
Encourage individual freedom without government interference
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. 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.
Source: National Platform of the Libertarian Party, Jul 2, 2000
Church and state should be completely separate
We defend the rights of individuals to engage in (or abstain from) any religious activities that do not violate the rights of others. In order to defend freedom, we advocate a strict separation of church and State. We oppose taxation of church property for the same reason that we oppose all taxation. We oppose the harassment of churches by the Internal Revenue Service.
Source: National Platform of the Libertarian Party, Jul 2, 2000
No taxation or regulation of private property
All rights are inextricably linked with property rights. Our bodies are our property every bit as much as is justly acquired land or material objects. We further hold that the owners of property have the full right to control, use, dispose of, or in any manner enjoy, their property without interference. We condemn government efforts to regulate. We demand an end to the taxation of privately owned real property.
Source: National Platform of the Libertarian Party, Jul 2, 2000
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In the following video, Professor Matt Zwolinski discusses why government involvement in social issues does not work as well as personal responsibility.
