Throughout history, our country has been defined as a democratic society, giving power to the
citizens of our nation. This system has worked for several years, but as we continue in our government,
our society is facing problems that could have been avoided through a different system of government.
Many have given thought as to what would result from a complete laissez –faire and Libertarianism
government, and that it could answer some of the nations continuing problems. With a laissez-faire
government, the country itself would be completely self-run from person to person, eliminating the
complete trust one gives to the president and his cabinet. There would be no hold on citizens from
doing what they want and how to carry through with their actions. This new society could create a
perfect society based on one’s own decisions and happiness. The idea of a Libertarianism society could
ultimately lead to a New Frontier of Utopias.
Libertarianism has developed in our Nation for several years. The party itself has many views on
our government’s current system and how things should be run in favor of the American Citizen.
According to Charles Murray, author of What it Means to Be a Libertarian, the idea of a Libertarian
Government came from the nation’s Founders. “The inalienable rights affirmed the Declaration of
Independence bear a decidedly libertarian stamp.” It is evident that a Libertarian Government is
possible and posse’s important view on how our Nation should be run and handle certain rights such as
gun control, public education and freedom of speech.
The party itself believes in one’s personal freedoms while still maintaining that personal
responsibility. Not only does the party oppose government interference with personal decisions, they
also believe that American Citizens are free to live their own life as long as they bring no harm to others
around them. “Frequently asked Questions: What is a Libertarian?”Libertarian Party. 14 September,
2009. This type of government could bring so many people happiness and a sense of relief knowing that
they have full control of how they control their lives and their family.
Some political parties find that the concept of gun control needs to be regulated, and by keeping
it under control, they make the Nation a safer and less corrupt of violence. There has been debate about
what weapons should be allowed under this law and those against it have gone as far to say the storing
a nuclear bomb in the confines of one’s own home is perfectly okay. What the opposing side doesn’t
understand is that the Libertarian view is not that broad and wouldn’t stand for having such a bomb in
someone’s home because it could bring harm to multiple people. Walter and Matthew Block describe
how the Libertarians view this outlandish accusation in their article, Toward a Universal Libertarian
Theory of Gun Control. They state that if the owner of a certain weapon such as a pistol can use it as a
defensive manner and not implement large targets, then it is allowed under their government
standards. However, if a citizen was to use that weapon on a large scale and not for the sole purpose of
self defense against an individual, action would be taken to control the owner of the weapon (Matthew
and Walter Block 2).
The idea of prohibiting gun control is one that gives the more security to the citizens of our
Nation. Libertarians have obviously discovered this and therefore feel there is no need to restrain
people from owning their own personal weapon. As I have mentioned before, these weapons are solely
used for defensive purposes only. This defensive aspect would give citizens a more control over their
own safety and that of their family.
Education is a very important aspect in our society today. Libertarians also feel this way, but
think of education as more thought provoking and giving full responsibility to the children. With a
libertarian style of education, children are thought of as their own person, and are “regarded equal to
adults with the same need for freedom and dignity” (Shotton 3). By giving the child as much freedom as
an adult, it allows them to discover education on their own, and not having it forced upon them. This
could encourage more children to work harder and discover new aspects of their education.
According to John Shotton, “Libertarian educational theory also extols the virtues of an integral
education that cultivates physical as well as mental skills and develops all aspects of the child’s
personality” (3), libertarians want their children to grow intellectually, but hope to achieve this in a
different way. There have been several instances where government systems have established a
Libertarian style of education. For example E. F. O’Neil, took charge of Prestolee Elementary School in
Farnworth, Lancashire in 1918. While here, he took a Libertarian approach to education. Things changed
drastically, and for the better. He gave children freedom to study what they wanted along with their
required materials (Shotton 3). Ex-School Inspector, Edmond Holmes, had nothing but good comments
about the newly instated education in Prestolee, “The child who is learning by doing is learning many
things besides the one thing he is supposed to be learning. He is learning to desire, to purpose, to place,
to initiate, to execute. He is learning to profit by experience, to think, to reason, to judge.” (Holmes, 4950)
The aspect of Libertarianism that draws people into the party is the feeling of complete
freedom. Colburn, who wrote an article on Libertarianism, quoted James P. Sterba; “Libertarians
interpret liberty as being unconstrained by other people from doing what one wants or is able to do”
(44), this quote gives a full view of how much freedom is weighed in a Libertarian society. Having this
much freedom allows one to explore what they want out of life without being confined to rules and
regulations from the government. The idea of pure freedom is a Utopia within itself, a perfect society
where everyone is happy and can think for themselves.
By having this freedom, one could practice these social aspects in the privacy of their own
home. “Religion, nationalism, family values, and other ‘social contracts’ would have no public role in a
libertarian utopia, though anybody who wanted to practice them privately would be welcome to”
(Clausen, 2). This would allow citizens to practice their own ideas without being viewed or discriminated
against.
Of all these positive outcomes that Libertarianism has to offer, some critics of their ideals can
still find faults in the Libertarian system. Many argue that the idea of gun control brings more safety
than allowing citizens to have their own weapons. Arguments may arise that law enforcement would
not be needed, crime could rise, and that there could be an increase in death from gun accidents.
Education and a more absolute freedom cause another opposition all together. Teachers believe
that the Libertarian ideal of a more relaxed setting for learning could harm students learning abilities.
Troubled students in the classroom might not apply themselves to the “self-applied” work environment
and fall behind in their work.
The libertarian ideals are a work in progress but pose a freer and loose society. In today’s
government, people walk on a tight-rope, hoping that they do not make a wrong move. With a
Libertarian society that fear would be gone and people would be free to live a more fulfill life and carry
out their own actions and ideals without being forced to go against their will.
Works Cited
Block, Walter and Matthew Block. “Toward a Universal Libertarian Theory of Gun Control: a Spatial and
Geographical Analysis.” Ethics, Place, and Environment 3.3 (Oct. 200) 14 Sept. 2009
Clausen, Christopher. “The libertarian heresy.” New Leader 80.2 (10 Feb. 1997) 12 Sept. 2009.
Colburn, J. Brooks. The Libertarian Cancan. Journal of Social Philosophy. 31.1 (2000) 44-50 14 Sept 2009.
Lomasky, Loren E. “What It Means to Be a Libertarian: A Personal Interpretation. The Libertarian Reader.
Libertarianism: A primer.” National Review 49.3 (24 Feb. 1997) 48-50 12 Sept. 2009.
Shotton, John. “Libertarian Education and State Schooling in England 1918-90.” Educational Review 44.1
(Feb 1992) 81. 14 Sept. 2009