SWARAJ  

Libertarianism is not a philosophy concerned with comprehensive personal morality a la Randism - something which even many libertarians do not understand. More than a complete weltanschauung for the people, it is a limited political philosophy about the role of the state. So libertarianism says believe whatever you want to, but dont force it on others through the state.

Now that might seem common sensical. But it gets more complicated often – to take just one example: the burqa ban in french schools. Now france is generally a socially liberal country – but the real question is not about majority vs minority ethics. Or about the burqas for that matter. The real question is why does france have government run schools in the first place. If the schools were private, we could have catholic schools who could ban burqas, muslim schools who could ban christmas carols, and normal secular/atheist schools that allow all of the above or none of the above. Let the parents and students decide.

But statists (those who believe in the state and are ideologically opposite to the libertarians) want the state to regulate and mandate and finance everything. and how does the state do this – through threat of violence. If you dont put your kid in a “proper” school, you can get fined. If you dont pay surcharges, you can get doubly fined. If you dont pay these fines, you can get imprisoned. If you try to defend yourself from unjust imprisonment, you can get shot. (that is what obama is doing in america – you MUST buy health insurance even if you are a 2o something healthy person…else pay a fine… and if you dont pay a fine you know what….)

Statists say they believe in the goodness of the people to help their neighbors and fellow country men – hence paying taxes is a civic and patriotic virtue, not something really coerced.

But then they act opposite to what they say…. if people are generous (and by the way, I too believe this) then they will help each other out through civil society – philanthropy and ngos. Why state coercion for extensive welfare “benefits”? For example, many libertarians volunteer at NGOs etc. not for money but for personal satisfaction. And that is perfectly fine.

Libertarianism and capitalism are not about money or religion. They are about individual freedom and a very curtailed state.