libertarianism

philosophy

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

July 23, 2026

Quick Summary

Libertarianism is a political philosophy that prioritizes individual liberty as the primary political value. It is a form of liberalism that emphasizes individual rights, including life, liberty, property, and freedom of speech. Libertarians advocate for severely limited government authority, believing that government power should be constrained to protect individual freedoms and that individuals should be free to act as they choose, provided they do not infringe on the equal freedom of others.12345

A core tenet is the belief in self-ownership, meaning individuals have exclusive control over their choices, actions, and bodies. Libertarians champion free markets as essential for wealth creation and believe that voluntary association and consent are paramount, contrasting with coercion. Critics argue that libertarianism presents an unrealistic view of individualism, ignoring the roles of community and tradition.3451267

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

8 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

free will and moral responsibility
Libertarianism
Philosophers and scientists who believe that the universe is indeterministic and that humans possess free will are known as “libertarians” (libertarianism in this sense is not to be confused with the school of political philosophy called libertarianism). Although it is possible to hold that…
Read More
Philosophers and scientists who believe that the universe is indeterministic and that humans possess free will are known as “libertarians” (libertarianism in this sense is not to be confused with the school of political philosophy called libertarianism). Although it is possible to hold that…
Read More

communitarianism
…the activity of government, and libertarianism, a form of liberalism (sometimes called “classical liberalism”) that aims to protect individual rights—especially the rights to liberty and property—through strict limits on governmental power.
Read More
…the activity of government, and libertarianism, a form of liberalism (sometimes called “classical liberalism”) that aims to protect individual rights—especially the rights to liberty and property—through strict limits on governmental power.
Read More