libertarianism
gb/lˈaɪbɚtˈɑɹiənˌɪzəm/ us/lˈaɪbɚtˈɑɹiənˌɪzəm/
C1
English
Senses
0 senses
Noun
C1
abstract
1
Minimal-government political philosophy
The belief that people should be as free as possible and that government should do as little as possible.
Usage pattern:
libertarianism; [adjective] libertarianism; the libertarianism of [someone/group]
Common mistake:
Do not use libertarianism as a simple synonym for liberalism. Libertarianism usually stresses limited government; liberalism can mean different things in different countries.
Synonyms
classical liberalism (Overlapping tradition that also emphasizes individual liberty, private property, and limited government.)
|
laissez-faire liberalism (Especially emphasizes minimal government interference in the economy.)
|
minarchism (More specific and often more radical; favors only a very minimal state.)
Antonyms
authoritarianism (Emphasizes obedience to strong authority rather than individual liberty.)
|
statism (Supports a larger, more active role for the state.)
|
collectivism (Prioritizes group or state goals over individual autonomy.)
Collocations
political libertarianism
|American libertarianism
|economic libertarianism
|right-wing libertarianism
|classical libertarianism
|principles of libertarianism
|advocate libertarianism
|embrace libertarianism
|espouse libertarianism
|reject libertarianism
Themes
politics
|philosophy
|economics
|law
Examples
- Libertarianism has influenced debates over taxes, gun laws, drug policy, and privacy.
- She was drawn to libertarianism because it promised both personal freedom and a smaller state.
- His politics combine social tolerance with economic libertarianism.
Learner examples
- Libertarianism supports a small government.
- Many libertarians want lower taxes.
Noun
technical
C2
abstract
2
Free-will philosophical doctrine
In philosophy, the idea that people can make real choices that are not fully determined by earlier events.
Usage pattern:
libertarianism about free will; metaphysical libertarianism
Common mistake:
This philosophical meaning is separate from political libertarianism.
Synonyms
libertarian free will (Adjectival phrase for the same free-will doctrine; often clearer outside politics.)
|
agent-causalism (A more specific theory sometimes used to defend libertarian free will.)
|
indeterminism (Broader idea that events are not fully determined; not always a theory of free will.)
Antonyms
determinism (Holds that events, including choices, are fixed by prior causes.)
|
compatibilism (Holds that free will can exist even if determinism is true.)
|
hard determinism (Denies free will because it treats determinism as true.)
Collocations
metaphysical libertarianism
|libertarianism about free will
|free-will libertarianism
|incompatibilist libertarianism
|defend libertarianism
|reject libertarianism
|argue for libertarianism
|libertarianism and determinism
Themes
philosophy
|ethics
|mind
Examples
- The seminar compared compatibilism, hard determinism, and libertarianism.
- Libertarianism about free will claims that at least some decisions could genuinely have been otherwise.
- Many philosophers reject libertarianism because they think indeterminism does not by itself explain moral responsibility.
Learner examples
- In this class, libertarianism is about free will, not elections.
Grammar
Dictionary form
libertarianism
IPA
GB/lˈaɪbɚtˈɑɹiənˌɪzəm/
US/lˈaɪbɚtˈɑɹiənˌɪzəm/
Syllables & stress
liber - tari - an - ism (4 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (liber)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: libertarianism
- Plural: libertarianisms
Expressions
capital-l libertarianism
1/kˈæpɪtəl ˈɛl lˈaɪbɚtˈɑɹiənˌɪzəm/
fixed phrase
informal
Official party libertarianism
Libertarianism as an official party or movement, not just a general belief in small government.
Examples
- The article distinguishes capital-L Libertarianism from a general preference for limited government.
- His small-l libertarianism never turned into capital-L Libertarianism because he disliked party politics.
civil libertarianism
1/sˈɪvəl lˈaɪbɚtˈɑɹiənˌɪzəm/
fixed phrase
Strong civil-liberties politics
Strong support for basic freedoms like free speech, privacy, and fair treatment by the law.
Examples
- Her civil libertarianism led her to oppose broad government surveillance powers.
- The organization is known for civil libertarianism rather than for a left- or right-wing economic program.
economic libertarianism
1/ˌɛkənˈɑmɪk lˈaɪbɚtˈɑɹiənˌɪzəm/
fixed phrase
Free-market economic politics
The belief that the economy should be run mostly by free markets, with little government control.
Examples
- The candidate's economic libertarianism appealed to business owners who wanted fewer regulations.
- Her economic libertarianism made her skeptical of subsidies and price controls.
left-wing libertarianism
1/lˈɛft wˈɪŋ lˈaɪbɚtˈɑɹiənˌɪzəm/
fixed phrase
Egalitarian libertarian politics
A type of libertarianism that supports personal freedom but also emphasizes equality and often criticizes capitalism or hierarchy.
Examples
- Left-wing libertarianism has roots in anarchist and anti-authoritarian socialist traditions.
- The course contrasted right-wing libertarianism with left-wing libertarianism on property and equality.
right-wing libertarianism
1/ɹˈaɪt wˈɪŋ lˈaɪbɚtˈɑɹiənˌɪzəm/
fixed phrase
Free-market right libertarianism
A type of libertarianism that supports capitalism, private property, and very small government.
Examples
- Right-wing libertarianism is influential among voters who want low taxes and fewer regulations.
- Her book argues that right-wing libertarianism treats private property as a central freedom.
small-l libertarianism
1/smˈɔl ˈɛl lˈaɪbɚtˈɑɹiənˌɪzəm/
fixed phrase
informal
Nonparty libertarian views
Libertarian ideas without belonging to an official Libertarian party.
Examples
- She describes her outlook as small-l libertarianism rather than party politics.
- His small-l libertarianism shows up in his suspicion of government rules, even though he votes for different parties.