The Libertarian Charter

A political philosophy organized around individual liberty, the non-aggression principle, and the minimal state.

1. The Non-Aggression Principle

The initiation of force, fraud, or coercion against persons or their property is morally illegitimate. All political action must satisfy this constraint first.

2. Self-Ownership

Each person owns their body, their labor, and the products of their voluntary cooperation. The state may not conscript bodies, labor, or earnings except in the narrowest defense of rights.

3. The Minimal State

The legitimate functions of government are limited to defense against aggression, adjudication of disputes, and enforcement of contracts and property rights. Activities outside these functions should be left to voluntary association.

4. Free Exchange

Voluntary exchange between consenting adults is presumptively legitimate. The state may not prohibit or coerce trade, set prices, or allocate resources by fiat.

5. Property Rights

Property rights are the foundation of liberty and prosperity. They must be securely defined, transferable, and defended by law against private and public encroachment.

6. Skepticism of Centralized Power

Concentrations of political power, even when democratically elected, are dangerous. The framework prefers dispersion, competition, and exit over consolidation and capture.

7. Rejection of Paternalism

Adults are entitled to make their own choices, including unwise ones. The state may not regulate conduct on grounds of moral improvement, public health, or the "public interest" when the conduct does not aggress against others.