Libertarian Party on Principles & Values

	Libertarian Party on Principles & Values Party Platform

2016's 3.24% nationally was highest for 3rd-party

Democrats have long complained--with good reason--about the role of the Green Party in depriving Al Gore of the White House in 2000. Nader received 2.74% of the vote, including 1.63% in the critical state of FL that Gore lost by 537 votes. That 2.74% was a strong showing for a third party, but in 2016, the Libertarian Party topped that total.

The Libertarian Party had never before received more than 1.1% of the vote in a presidential election. But with NM Gov. Gary Johnson and former MA Gov. William Weld serving as their ticket, the party rocketed to 3.24% of the vote. In two of the critical states that Trump flipped, MI and WI, Johnson topped 3.6%. In Pennsylvania, the third normally Democratic stronghold that voted GOP, Johnson received 2.4%.

It is not clear from the polling, but one of the reasons for Trump's surprise victory was the cratering in support for Johnson in the waning months of the election. In September, he was polling at 9%, which fell off heavily by Election Day.

Source: Houston Chronicle on 2016 presidential hopefuls , May 13, 2019

Challenge cult of omnipotent state, defend individual rights

We challenge the cult of the omnipotent state and defend the rights of the individual.

We hold that all individuals have the right to exercise sole dominion over their own lives, and have the right to live in whatever manner they choose, so long as they do not forcibly interfere with the equal right of others to live in whatever manner they choose.

Source: Libertarian Party Platform for 2018-2020 National Convention , Jul 4, 2018

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.

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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Page last updated: Feb 24, 2022