What is libertarianism?

Libertarianism is a political philosophy that puts individual liberty first and wants government kept as small as possible. Libertarians generally support free markets, low taxes, free speech and personal choice on issues like drugs and lifestyle. They oppose state interference unless it protects people from force or fraud.

Libertarians start from the idea that each person owns themselves and their property. The state's main job is to protect rights, enforce contracts and defend the country. Many would cut public services, regulation and welfare sharply and leave more to markets, charities and families. They often argue that taxation should be low and simple, and that people should choose their own schools, health care and pensions.

Unlike traditional conservatives, libertarians are often socially liberal. They tend to back legalising drugs, same-sex marriage and strong free speech, and to oppose surveillance and nanny state rules. This mix of economic right and social liberalism makes them hard to place on a simple left-right line. On foreign policy, many libertarians favour free trade and are wary of military intervention abroad.

Libertarian ideas are stronger in the US than in Britain. In the UK they influence free-market think tanks and some wings of the Conservative and Reform parties. Critics argue a minimal state would leave poorer and sick people without support, and that markets fail without regulation. Supporters say freedom and prosperity go together.

Where you've seen it

The US Libertarian Party, some free market think tanks, and economic policies in some low tax places such as Singapore in parts.

In the UK today

No major UK party is fully libertarian, but you hear libertarian ideas in arguments for drastic tax cuts, deregulation, free speech and against things like ID cards.