Difference Between Libertarian and Republican

Key Difference – Libertarian vs Republican

Libertarianism and Republicanism are two main philosophies that govern within the context of the modern international political system. Libertarianism principles are grounded in the rights of an individual which emphasize on the ‘right to life, right to pursue happiness, liberty ‘etc. Thus, it strongly opposes the government’s interference in the individual’s personal life matters, interests and decision-making process. Republicanism is the philosophy that emphasizes on the freedom of the individuals while emphasizing more on the moral conduct of people.

Though there are ideological  similarities between Libertarian and a Republican the key difference between these two political advocates is that a Libertarian primarily don’t believe in a government whereas a Republican believes in a government, or rather a Republican form of a government and such a government should not interfere with individual freedom excessively.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. Who is a Libertarian
3. Who is a Republican
4. Similarities Between a Libertarian and a Republican
5. Side by Side Comparison –Libertarian vs Republican in Tabular Form
6. Summary

Who is a Libertarian?

Libertarian; a follower of the Libertarianism political philosophy is someone who believes people are free to involve in any activity as long as they don’t create violence or harm others. This philosophy is bounded by the Non-Aggression Principle which means none may use violence, coercion or any use of force for any other apart from using it as a self-defense mechanism.

As defined by Merriam Webster, Libertarian is ‘an advocate of the doctrine of free will’ or ‘a person who upholds the principles of individual liberty especially of thought and action.’ Similarly, the Cambridge dictionary explains a Libertarian as ‘a person who believes that people should be free to think and behave as they want and should not have limits put on them by governments.’

Fig 01:Howard Stern Libertarian Party

Their motto is “Live and lets Live.” which is suggestive of the fact that people are free to do any form of activity ranging from eating, smoking, taking drugs, having varied sexual preferences in life with anyone they like as long as they don’t harm anyone. They simply don’t believe either in the existence of a government (to interfere with an individual’s free will) or in the process of electing.

Thus, a Libertarian never believes in any form of a government, unlike a Republican. They believe people themselves can use their own sense of self-reliability and self-defense thus an exterior government or a form of the ruling is not necessary for the humans.

Who is a Republican?

Republican is primarily a person who supports and believes in a representative republican government which gives the individual freedom, simultaneously considers on maintaining the moral/social norms of the country under the rule of the government. Thus, a Republican believes in a government where it is elected by the people so that those who are elected are none other than the representatives of the people.

As defined in the Cambridge dictionary, a Republican is ‘a supporter of government by elected representatives of the people rather than government by a king or queen.’ Similarly, Merriam Webster explains a Republican as ‘one that favors or supports a republican form of government.’ Thus, unlike libertarian, A Republican advocates and believes in the form of a government though they both rely on the opinion that the government has no right to control the free will of an individual.

Fig 02: The emblem of the GOP (Grand Od Party), The main Republican party in United States of America

Similarly, a Republican believes in a Republican form of a government which centers its role in enabling people to secure the benefits of the society for themselves and for others. Moreover, such a form of government should limit its intervention to individual’s work and should only intervene when the society cannot function at the level of the individual so that, the particular society can reach prosperity on its own.

Some of the core beliefs as outlined on the National Website of National Republican Committee can be indicated as follows;

• The best government for the people is one that is closest to the people, and therefore, the government should not interfere unless they are needed.
• The strength of the nation lies within the individuals who live in the country, and therefore, feel that the individual’s freedom, dignity, and responsibility must come first and foremost in our government.
• The government must practice fiscal responsibility, and allow its people to keep the money that they work for.
• America should work to protect national freedom first while working to spread peace, freedom, and human rights in the world.

What is the Similarity Between a Libertarian and a Republican?

• Generally, both are in favor of economic freedom, national defense, respect for property rights, and the right to bear arms.

What is the Difference Between Libertarian and Republican?

 Summary – Libertarian vs Republican 

A Libertarian and a Republican both support the liberty or the individual freedom. Thus, superficially they share similar ideological views. However, unlike a Libertarian who basically doesn’t concern about social inequalities or civic virtue, a Republican believes in promoting a government that can concern in the maintenance of civic virtue in the society. This can be highlighted as the difference between a Libertarian and a Republican.

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Reference:

1.’What is Republican:Republican Definition’. Accessed 30 September,2017. Available here 
2.’Preamble of the Republican National Committee’ Accessed 30 September,2017. Available here 

Image Courtesy:

1.’Howard Stern Libertarian Party’ by Ted Van Pelt (CC BY 2.0) via Flickr
2. ‘Republican Disc’ By Republican Party – Republican National Committee, Public Domain via Commons Wikimedia  

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