Libertarians believe in self ownership, private property, and the non-aggression principle.

Self Ownership

You, and only you, own yourself. If you did not belong to yourself, then you could belong to somebody else, and this would be slavery. Self ownership entails a right to do whatever you want with yourself; your body, your labor, and your life, as long as you don’t encroach on the rights of others. This concept has also been expressed historically as the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Private Property

You, and only you, as the owner of yourself and your labor, have the right to decide what happens with the products of your labor, exchanges, and voluntary transfers.

Non-aggression Principle

Applying the principles of self ownership and private property lands us at the non-aggression principle. The non-aggression principle is the idea that it is morally unacceptable for anybody, regardless of title or popularity, to initiate force or fraud (also called aggression), against the life, liberty, or property of any non-aggressive individual.

Libertarian Party members agree to the Libertarian Pledge: “I hereby certify that I do not believe in or advocate the initiation of force as a means of achieving political or social goals.“

Libertarians, and the Libertarian Party, are against all forceful infringements on freedom, regardless of who is imposing them, or why. Some common examples are: taxes, drug prohibitions, firearm restrictions, corporate bailouts, among many others.