Libertarian

  1. Proper noun.  (politics) A member of a political party or movement that uses the term "Libertarian" in its name (e.g., the Libertarian Party of the United States); one who is likely to support policies that are libertarian.
  2. Noun.  One who advocates liberty either generally or on a specific issue, e.g. "civil libertarian" (in favour of civil liberties).
  3. Noun.  (chiefly, US) A believer in a political doctrine that emphasizes individual liberty and a lack of governmental regulation and oversight both in matters of the economy ('free market') and in personal behavior where no one's rights are being violated or threatened. Also 'classical liberal', akin to 'anarcho-capitalist'.
  4. Noun.  (chiefly, Europe) An anarchist, typically with socialist implications.
  5. Noun.  In the philosophy branch of metaphysics, a believer in thinking beings' freedom to choose their own destiny, i.e. a believer in free will as opposed to those who believe the future is predetermined.
  6. Noun.  (US, prefixed to "Republican") a member of the Republican Party (especially a legislator) who emphasizes economic and Constitutional, rather than religious and personal, aspects of the party's platform.
  7. Adjective.  Relating to the beliefs of libertarians, as in, "He has ''libertarian'' views". A relative tendency towards liberty, as in "''libertarian'' capitalist".

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This entry was last updated on RefTopia from its source on 3/20/2012.