Libertarianism

4. Problems and criticisms

Libertarians have found themselves struggling with two major problems. First, how can the state be justified? If we cannot show that everyone consents to the state, its existence seems an illegitimate interference with individual liberty. Furthermore, if people make different levels of contribution to the upkeep of the state – some may be unable to contribute, for example – then the state appears redistributive in its nature. Second, libertarianism presupposes that individuals have strong rights to property. But everything that is now owned is constructed out of materials which, once, no individual owned. How can initial appropriation be justified? While strenuous attempts have been made to solve these problems, no consensus has developed. It is worth noting that consequentialist libertarians find themselves in less difficulty on these issues.

In addition to these problems critics have claimed that right-wing libertarians are not entitled to adopt the language of liberty in defence of their view, given the lack of liberty of the poor. This goes hand in hand with a denial that such libertarians have framed the distinction between liberty and ability correctly. Another influential criticism is that one cannot defend powerful individual rights without also accepting a duty to support the extensive social institutions that not only sustain those rights but also give them their point and value. Hence, it is claimed libertarianism is self-defeating. Suffice to say that libertarians strongly contest these points, while pointing out the disadvantages they see with all other systems.