The Libertarian Party’s current platform begins from individual rights and describes a society in which people may pursue their own lives peacefully without interference from government or other authoritarian power.
Freedom of speech, privacy, personal relationships, self-ownership, due process, and individual choice are included within the party’s personal-liberty section.
Freedom also includes accepting responsibility for the choices a person makes. Libertarian principles pair individual choice with respect for the equal rights of others.
Individuals should be free to exchange goods, services, and property voluntarily. Libertarians generally support free markets, property rights, and voluntary economic relationships.
Government power should be restricted by individual rights and constitutional limits. Libertarians emphasize transparency, and protection against unnecessary government interference.
The Libertarian Party was founded in 1971. Its current website describes the organization as “The Party of Principle” and says its political program is based on the Libertarian Party Platform.
The party’s stated priorities include individual freedom, free markets, peace, limits on government power, and protection of individual rights.
The party traces its formation to meetings held at the home of David F. Nolan. According to the LP’s official history, the Libertarian Party was formed on December 11, 1971.
At the party’s first national convention in Denver, John Hospers was selected as its presidential nominee and Tonie Nathan as its vice-presidential nominee. Nathan later became the first woman in U.S. history to receive an electoral vote.
Libertarian presidential nominee Ed Clark appeared on the ballot in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and Guam. The LP’s history records that he received nearly one million votes.
Ron Paul became the Libertarian presidential nominee in 1988. The party’s history highlights his campaign’s focus on non-interventionism, drug-policy reform, monetary policy, and reductions in government spending.
The party moved its national headquarters into Washington’s Watergate Office Building during a period its official history describes as one of growing membership and voter registration.
During the party’s 30th-anniversary year, its historical account reports 522 Libertarians serving in public office.
Representative Justin Amash joined the Libertarian Party while serving in Congress, becoming the first LP member to serve in Congress. The LP’s historical page also records Libertarian electoral results in Arkansas and Wyoming that year.
Libertarianism contains a long history of philosophical and political debate, and libertarians themselves do not necessarily agree on every question of policy or strategy. These official Libertarian Party resources provide a starting point for understanding the current national party’s stated principles, policy positions, organization, and history.