What is Libertarianism?
Maximum personal and economic freedom, minimal state: low taxes, free markets and few laws on private behaviour.
On our 12-axis map it is defined by freedom liberty (95%), free market markets (94%), private ownership (90%) and open trade trade (90%), and stays fairly neutral on nation, culture and tradition. On the two-axis compass it falls in the Libertarian Right area.
What Libertarianism stands for
Privacy, free speech and personal choice come first, even when they carry risks.
Prices and competition allocate resources better than any planner can.
Private property and private enterprise are the engine of prosperity.
Fewer tariffs and borders for goods; cheaper products and global supply chains.
Libertarian Right
Economic +8.4 · Social -7.1 (−10 to +10).
Biggest difference: power — Libertarianism is more central (20% vs 2%).
Biggest difference: power — Libertarianism is more local (80% vs 62%).
Biggest difference: nation — Libertarianism is more national (58% vs 30%).
Nearest historical thinkers: Friedrich Hayek (88%), Ayn Rand (86%) and Adam Smith (84%).
Libertarianism, axis by axis
Government
World
Economy
Society
Profiles are simplified summaries of mainstream positions; real movements vary by country and era. Methodology.
FAQ
Is Libertarianism left or right?
On the classic political compass Libertarianism sits at economic +8.4 and social -7.1 (−10 to +10), which places it in the Libertarian Right area. Economically it leans toward markets and private ownership.
What does Libertarianism believe?
Maximum personal and economic freedom, minimal state: low taxes, free markets and few laws on private behaviour. Its most defining positions are freedom on liberty, free market on markets, private on ownership and open trade on trade.
What ideologies are similar to Libertarianism?
The closest profiles on our 12 axes are Anarcho-Capitalism (92% similar), Classical Liberalism (91% similar) and Techno-Optimism (84% similar).
Am I a Libertarianism supporter?
Take the free 12 Axes test: your result shows your match percentage with Libertarianism and 30 other ideologies.