Who is a Libertarian? D. Russell

Some of us call ourselves ,cindividualists," but others point out that the opposition often uses that word to describe a heartless person who doesn't care about the problems and aspirations of other people. Some of us call ourselves "conservatives," but that term describes many persons who base their approval of an institution more on its age than on its inherent worth. Many of us call ourselves c'liberals." And it is true that the word "liberal" once described persons who respected the individual and feared the use of mass compulsions. But the leftists have now corrupted that once-proud term to identify themselves and their program of more gov ernment ownership of property and more controls over [9 ] persons. As a result, .those of us who believe. in freedom must explain that when we call ourselves liberals, we mean liberals in the uncorrupted classical sense. At best, this is awkward and subject to misunderstanding.

A Goodand Honorable Word Here is a suggestion: Let those of us who love liberty trade-mark and reserve for our own use the good and honorable word "libertarian." Webster's New International Dictionary defines a libertarian as "one who holds to the doctrine of free will; also, one who upholds the principles of liberty, esp. indi vidual liberty of thought and action." In popular terminology, a libertarian is the· opposite of an authoritarian. Strictly speaking, a libertarian is one who rejects the idea of using violence or the threat of violence-legal or illegal-to impose his will or viewpoint upon any peaceful person. Generally speaking, a liber tarian is one who wants to be governed far less than he is today. • A libertarian believes that the government should pro tect all persons equally against external and internal aggression, but should otherwise generally leave people alone to work out their own problems and aspirations.

While a libertarian expects the government to render equal protection to all persons against oumght fraud and misrepresentation, he doesn't expect the government to protect anyone from the consequences of his own free choices. A libertarian holds that persons who make wise [10 ] choices are entitled to enjoy the fruits of their wisdom, and that persons who make unwise choices have no right to demand that the government reimburse them for their folly. • A libertarian expects his government to establish, sup port, .and enforce the decisions of impartial courts of justice-courts which do not recognize or refer to a per son's race, religion, or economic status. If justice is to be rendered, the decisions of these courts must be as binding upon government officials and their actions as upon other persons··and their actions. • A libertarian respects the right of every person to use and enjoy his honestly acquired property-to trade it, to sell it, or even to give it away-for he knows that human liberty cannot long endure when that fundamental right is rejected or even seriously impaired.

• A libertarian believes that the daily needs of the peo ple can best be satisfied through the vo\untary processes of a free and competitive market. And h~ holds the strong belief that free persons, using their o~n honestly ac quired money, are in the best possible ~osition to under stand and aid their fellow men who are!in need of help. • A libertarian favors a strictly limited form of govern ment with many checks and balances-and divisions of authority-to foil the abuses of the fearful power of gov ernment. And generally speaking, he is one who sees less, rather than more, need to govern the actions of others. • A libertarian has much faith in himself and other free persons to find maximum happiness and prosperity in a [ 11 ] society wherein no person has the authority to force any other peaceful person to conform to his viewpoints or desires in any manner. His way of life is based on respect for himself and for all others.

• A libertarian doesn't advocate violent rebellion against prevailing governments-except as a last resort before the concentration camps. But \vhen a libertarian sees harm rather than good in certain acts of government, he is obligated to try his best to explain to others who advo cate those measures· why such compulsory means cannot bring the ends which even they desire. • The libertarian'8 goal is friendship and peace with his neighbors at home and abroad. [ 12 ] COMPETITION? YES, BUT. t'J e~a1'1e6 :J.. P~ilhp6 WHAT I am going to say to you is not the usual Confer ence on Distribution talk-at least, it is not like the other four I have delivered to these Boston gatherings. Usually, a talk at this Conference is scientific in nature; it is based upon an analysis of facts and attempts to reach conclu sions based upon those facts. What I have to say today, however, is more of a statement of faith-a faith which I cannot prove statistically-but one in which I believe deeply. Specifically, it is the faith that the preservation of a competitive society is important to the preservation of our way of life-and, further, that all too many of us who profe'ss to believe in the competitive economy ac tually engage in actions harmful to its future.