The Libertarian Nonaggression Principle

Social Philosophy and Policy, vol. 32, no. 2 (2016), pp. 62-90

29 Pages Posted: 2 May 2016

See all articles by Matt Zwolinski

Matt Zwolinski

University of San Diego; University of San Diego School of Law

Date Written: April 29, 2016

Abstract

Libertarianism is a controversial political theory. But it is often presented as a resting upon a simple, indeed commonsense, moral principle. The libertarian “Nonaggression Principle” (NAP) prohibits aggression against the persons or property of others, and it is on this basis that the libertarian opposition to redistributive taxation, legal paternalism, and perhaps even the state itself is thought to rest. This essay critically examines the NAP and the extent to which it can provide support for libertarian political theory. It identifies two problems with existing libertarian appeals to the NAP. First, insofar as libertarians employ a moralized understanding of aggression, their principle is really about the protection of property rights rather than the prohibition of aggression. Second, the absolutist prohibition on aggression, which libertarians typically endorse and which is necessary to generate strongly libertarian conclusions, is grossly implausible. The essay concludes by setting forth a version of the NAP that does not suffer from these problems. It argues that this more moderate and defensible version of the NAP still has important libertarian implications, but that a full defense of libertarianism cannot rely upon appeals to nonaggression alone.

Keywords: Libertarianism, Aggression, Force, Coercion, Self-Ownership, Murray Rothbard

Suggested Citation

Zwolinski, Matt, The Libertarian Nonaggression Principle (April 29, 2016). Social Philosophy and Policy, vol. 32, no. 2 (2016), pp. 62-90, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2772753

Matt Zwolinski (Contact Author)

University of San Diego ( email )

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HOME PAGE: http://www.sandiego.edu/~mzwolinski

University of San Diego School of Law ( email )

5998 Alcala Park
San Diego, CA 92110-2492
United States

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