rightlibertarianism

Right-libertarianism is a strand of libertarian political philosophy that emphasizes individual rights, private property, and free markets as the framework for social order. Proponents ground liberty in natural rights—most prominently self-ownership and the homesteading of resources—and argue that only voluntary exchanges and contracts can legitimately govern social life. The doctrine prescribes minimal or no state interference, with the primary function of government limited to protecting persons and property from aggression, theft, fraud, and breach of contract.

On this view, a legitimate state (when accepted) is a night-watchman or a provider of defensive force, courts, and enforceable rules to secure voluntary interactions. In its more radical forms, right-libertarianism advances anarcho-capitalism, where all services provided by the state would be privatized and law and security are supplied by competing private firms and associations. Key thinkers include John Locke (influence on property rights and acquisition), Robert Nozick (a minimal state and entitlement theory), Murray Rothbard (argued for anarcho-capitalism), and, in wider popular discourse, Ayn Rand’s emphasis on individual rights and capitalism. Friedman and Hayek also influenced the tradition through emphasis on limited government, rule of law, and spontaneous order.

Contemporary debates within right-libertarianism address issues such as inequality, externalities, and public goods, with critics arguing that a minimal state cannot adequately address these problems. Proponents respond that voluntary arrangements and competitive markets can yield efficient outcomes, while critics warn that property rights and market power may reproduce injustices. The term is often contrasted with left-libertarianism, which foregrounds different notions of distributive justice, while sharing a commitment to liberty and voluntary exchange.