ABSTRACT
Libertarianism is a political philosophy that advocates maximum individual rights and minimum government. Libertarians believe that all people have the right to live their lives as they choose, to own and exchange property, and to be free from governmental interference in their decisions and actions as long as they respect the equal rights of all other people. Libertarians accept constitutional restraints as means to limit popular democratic will. To libertarians, the right to life means that each person has the absolute right to govern his or her mind, body, and actions. To libertarians, the right to liberty means that all persons can define their existence and own property free of interference from other people or the government. Libertarians believe the government's role is limited to protecting its citizens and their property through the adoption and enforcement of criminal laws and the establishment of civil remedies to enforce contracts and recover damages for injuries.
