Libertarianism is a political philosophy and an approach towards government action. While there are various different approaches towards libertarianism, all share some distinguishing characteristics: a focus on individual liberty, a skeptical stance on ambitious government action, and support for free markets.
Libertarians are generally skeptical towards such government programs as social security, welfare, and arts funding, believing such things to be a misuse of government power, better accomplished through private action. Neither wealth redistribution nor improving a nation’s moral or aesthetic sensibilities is a valid role for government in libertarian philosophy. Instead, government should focus on protecting the individual from violence and deception; force and fraud are the chief libertarian justifications for government intervention.
Libertarians are not conservatives, although they are often lumped together by those who favor government economic intervention. Libertarians, unlike many conservatives, do not believe government can or should try to instill virtue in society.
Libertarians are not modern liberals, either, although libertarianism is often, accurately, called ‘classical liberalism.’ The modern liberal’s willingness to use government power to achieve various social aims, from ‘economic justice’ to enlightened tolerance, is anathema to most libertarians.
Libertarianism has a proud history at the University of Chicago; Milton Friedman, whose book Capitalism and Freedom is a libertarian classic, is almost synonymous with the University. The U of C Libertarian Society seeks to build on that tradition by providing a place to discuss issues and politics from a libertarian perspective. We hold weekly discussion meetings and host occasional events that seek to bring a libertarian perspective to campus.