Consequentialist libertarianism

{{short description|Political ideology}} {{Libertarianism sidebar|variants}} '''Consequentialist libertarianism''', also known as '''consequentialist liberalism''' or '''libertarian consequentialism''',<ref>Yeager, Leland B. (2001). ''Ethics As Social Science: The Moral Philosophy of Social Cooperation''. Edward Elgar Publishing. p. 283</ref> is a libertarian political philosophy and position that is supportive of a free market and strong private property rights only on the grounds that they bring about favorable consequences such as prosperity or efficiency.<ref name=Wolff>{{cite journal|url=http://www.virginialawreview.org/content/pdfs/92/1605.pdf|last=Wolff|first=Jonathan|title=Libertarianism, Utility, and Economic Competition|publisher=Virginia Law Review|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130112210848/http://www.virginialawreview.org/content/pdfs/92/1605.pdf|archive-date=2013-01-12}}</ref>

== Overview == What consequentialist libertarians advocate is derived through cost–benefit calculation, taking a broad account of consequences.<ref>Miron, Jeffrey A. (2010). ''Libertarianism: From A to Z''. Basic Books. p. 39.</ref> It is contrasted with deontological libertarianism which considers the initiation of force and fraud to be immoral, regardless of consequences.<ref>Bradford, R.W. (2008). "The Two Libertarianisms". ''Liberty''. Liberty Foundation.</ref><ref>{{cite encyclopedia|section-url=http://www.iep.utm.edu/l/libertar.htm|url=http://www.iep.utm.edu/|section=Libertarianism|first=Matt|last=Zwolinski|title=Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy|access-date=23 August 2008}}</ref> Unlike deontological libertarians, consequentialist libertarians do not necessarily see all cases of initiation of force as immoral and do not see it as inherently immoral (i.e., they do not express a belief in natural rights). Rather, their position is that political and economic liberty lead to the best consequences in the form of happiness and prosperity and for that reason alone it should be supported. Some libertarians may have a conception of libertarianism that is a hybrid of consequentialism and deontology.<ref name=Wolff/>

Unlike deontological libertarians, consequentialist libertarians advocate actions they believe bring about favorable consequences regardless of whether these constitute initiation of force.<ref>Murray, Charles; Friedman, David D.; Boaz, David; Bradford, R.W. (January 2005). [http://www.libertyunbound.com/sites/files/printarchive/Liberty_Magazine_January_2005.pdf "What's Right vs. What Works"]. ''Liberty''. '''19''' (1): 31.</ref><ref>Barnett, Randy E. [http://ssrn.com/abstract=565202 "The Moral Foundations of Modern Libertarianism"]. In Berkowitz, Peter, ed. (2004). ''Varieties of Conservatism in America''. Hoover Press.</ref> For example, unlike deontological libertarians, some consequentialist libertarians support eminent domain and involuntary taxes.<ref>Epstein, Richard; Barnett, Randy; Friedman, David D.; Pinkerton, James P. (March 2004). "Coercion vs. Consent". ''Reason''.</ref> Particular views vary among consequentialist libertarians, with political theorist David D. Friedman supporting a consequentialist form of anarcho-capitalism where the content of law is bought and sold rather than there being an established legal code forbidding initiation of force.<ref>Friedman, David (1973). ''The Machinery of Freedom: Guide to a Radical Capitalism''. Harper & Row. pp. 127–128.</ref>

== Notable consequentialist libertarians == * Milton Friedman<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PaN9M4WwHw#t=68 "Milton Friedman on Libertarianism (Part 1 of 4)"]. YouTube. Retrieved 22 January 2020.</ref> * David D. Friedman<ref name=":0" /> * Peter Leeson<ref name=":0" /> * Ludwig von Mises<ref name=":0">Younkins, Edward W. (6 July 2002). ''Mises' Utilitarianism as Social Cooperation''.</ref> * Friedrich Hayek<ref>Liggio, Leonard P. (Winter 1982). "Hayek's Constitution of Liberty: Ethical Basis of the Juridical Framework of Individual Liberty". ''Literature of Liberty''. '''5''' (4).</ref><ref>Gray, John N. (1982). ''F.A. Hayek and the Rebirth of Classical Liberalism''.</ref><ref>Ebenstein, Alan O. (2001). ''Friedrich Hayek: A Biography''. p. 383.</ref> * R. W. Bradford<ref>{{cite web|url=https://reason.com/2005/12/10/rw-bradford-rip/|title=R.W. Bradford, RIP|last=Walker|first=Jesse|newspaper=Reason|date=10 December 2005|access-date=9 December 2019}}</ref>

== References == {{reflist}}

Category:Consequentialism Category:Libertarianism by form Category:Libertarian theory