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Missouri's 7th District, U.S. House of Representatives

  
 

 

 

Congressional Issues 2012
PARTY POLITICS
What is the Libertarian Party?



The Libertarian Party is the party of principle. To publicly affirm what we believe -- and to ensure that our party never strays from our principles -- we ask our members to proudly sign this statement:

I do not believe in or advocate
the initiation of force
as a means of achieving political or social goals.

This is the principle that undergirds the Free Market System, and made America the most prosperous and admired nation on earth. The two-party monopoly (Democrat/Republican) believes it is acceptable to initiate force against others: to tax, to conscript, and even to kill. Socialism always involves the initiation of force against the innocent. The consistent Libertarian will never approve the initiation of force or violence.

In 1972, Libertarian Party Vice Presidential candidate Tonie Nathan became the first woman in U.S. history to receive an electoral vote.

The Libertarian Party is America's third largest party. Since its founding in 1971, more Libertarian Party votes have been cast than the Constitution Party, Green Party, and Reform Party combined. More Libertarian candidates have sought political office than the Constitution Party, Green Party, and Reform Party combined. No third party in U.S. history has ever received more votes for U.S. Congressional candidates than the Libertarian Party earned in the election of 2000.

The Libertarian Party hopes to be like the Socialist Party in the early 20th century -- in the opposite direction. Socialist Party candidates did not win many elections, but the Socialist Party influenced many politicians in the other parties. Norman Thomas, who was the Socialist Party candidate for President in every election from 1928 through 1948, was asked if he would run again in 1952. He said no, adding wryly that Democrats and Republicans had already adopted his platform. Thomas acknowledged that Americans had rejected socialism emphatically when it was offered forthrightly as "socialism," but had accepted it when presented as "welfare state" measures by Democrats and Republicans.

Libertarians hope to make socialist America a nation of Liberty and Free Markets once again. Your vote for a libertarian candidate will help force Democrat and Republican candidates to reject socialism and promote liberty. Your vote for a "winner" who promotes socialism once in office is a wasted vote.


Begin to learn more about the Libertarian Party from our Introduction.

Statement of Principles.
The basic political philosophy of the Libertarian Party is stated in its Statement of Principles.
Platform
The elaboration of these principles into positions on a wide range of specific issues is contained in our comprehensive Platform.

The LP Program is a statement of the Party's legislative recommendations on several issues of current concern.

In presidential election years, the convention adopts the National Campaign Platform of its presidential candidate.

Other official LP positions are stated in the form of resolutions adopted by the LNC (Libertarian National Committee).

The views of LP spokespersons are expressed in our press releases. The Press Release Archive is useful in locating specific resolutions and positions.

Popular Understandings of Libertarianism
The most popular understanding is "Liberty and Personal Responsibility"
 
Libertarians say they're the third largest political party | PolitiFact Florida

Related public policy sites:
Cato Institute
Mises Institute
Heartland Institute
Reason Foundation
The Independent Institute
Mackinac Center for Public Policy
The Acton Institute for the Study of Religion and Liberty


Harry Browne articles: