Libertarian Party
A clear guide to the US Libertarian Party: its history since 1971, its philosophy of individual liberty and minimal government, and where it stands on the economy, personal freedom, and foreign policy.
Overview
- Country
- United States
- Founded
- 1971
- Position
- Libertarian
- Leader
- Evan McMahon
- Headquarters
- Washington, D.C.
The Libertarian Party is the largest third party in the United States by membership and ballot access. Founded in 1971, it advocates a consistent philosophy of individual liberty across both economic and personal questions, arguing that government should be limited to protecting people from force and fraud.
This places the party in a distinctive position. On economics it aligns with the right in favouring free markets and low taxes, while on social and personal questions it aligns with the left in opposing government restriction of individual choice. The party rarely wins federal office, but it influences debate and can affect close races.
History
The party was founded in Colorado in 1971 by activists who felt neither major party consistently defended individual freedom. It grew steadily through the following decades, running presidential candidates in every election since 1972 and building ballot access across most states.
Its strongest presidential result came in 2016, when former New Mexico governor Gary Johnson won about 3.3 percent of the national vote. The party has periodically debated its own direction, between a pragmatic wing focused on winning elections and a more radical wing focused on ideological purity. Evan McMahon was elected chair of the national committee in 2026.
Economic Policy
The Libertarian Party favours free markets with minimal government intervention. It supports sharply lower taxes and spending, opposes most business regulation, and is sceptical of government programmes it views as inefficient or coercive. Many libertarians favour sound money and oppose large public debt. The party generally argues that voluntary exchange and private enterprise, rather than state direction, produce prosperity.
Foreign Policy
The party is non-interventionist. It opposes most foreign military engagements, favours reducing overseas commitments, and is sceptical of a large defence establishment. It generally supports free trade and open exchange between nations while opposing what it sees as costly and counterproductive military adventures.
Where They Stand
- Argues for a sharply limited government confined to protecting against force and fraud
- Supports free markets, low taxes, and minimal regulation
- Opposes most government restriction of personal choices, including drug prohibition
- Defends free speech, gun rights, and privacy
- Favours non-intervention abroad and reduced overseas military commitments
- Supports free trade between nations
Electoral Record
The Libertarian Party has never won a presidential election or a seat in Congress, but it maintains broad ballot access and regularly fields candidates at every level. Its best presidential showing was in 2016. Its main influence is on the framing of debates about the size of government and civil liberties.
Position on the Political Compass
Libertarian Party sits on the right-leaning side on economics and is more libertarian on questions of social freedom and authority.
These positions are approximate and meant as a guide. Take the test to see how your own views compare.
Key Figures
David Nolan
Co-founder, 1943 to 2010
A founder of the party in 1971 and creator of the Nolan Chart, a two-axis model of politics that separates economic and personal freedom, influencing how many people picture the political spectrum.
Ron Paul
Congressman and standard-bearer
Ran for president as the party's nominee in 1988 and later as a Republican, popularising libertarian ideas about sound money, civil liberties, and non-intervention to a wide audience.
Gary Johnson
Presidential nominee, 2012 and 2016
Former Republican governor of New Mexico whose 2016 campaign produced the party's best presidential result, winning about 3.3 percent of the national vote.
Sources and Further Reading
- Libertarian Party (Wikipedia)en.wikipedia.org
- Official party websitelp.org
- Libertarian Party (Ballotpedia)ballotpedia.org
Where do you stand?
Take the CoreOpinion United States political test to see how your views compare with Libertarian Party and the other parties.
Take the United States Test
Social Policy
On personal freedom the party is strongly liberal. It supports drug decriminalisation, opposes government restrictions on personal lifestyle choices, defends free speech and gun rights, and is generally supportive of abortion rights and same-sex marriage on the principle that these are private matters. The unifying idea is that individuals should be free to live as they choose provided they do not harm others.