Libertarian philosophy is about determining what is right and what is just in terms of how society is organized politically and legally.

Libertarians recognize that the use of force is only morally legitimate in the defense of a person's life and justly acquired property. Libertarianism advocates a society that has basic laws that ban the initiation of force - murder, theft and fraud. In a libertarian society, there would be freedom from interference. An implicit agreement would exist that everyone could make their own choices and be left alone, thus requiring that nobody would be allowed to interfere coercively with the lives of others.

Most political parties and movements believe that society should be organized on the basis of force and threats. They work with the idea that government exists in order to manage literally everything or a large subset of everything and to force people to conform in arbitrary ways according to the wishes of other people - of large pressure groups or powerful interests.

Libertarians advocate a voluntary society which includes a "free market". These terms are all confusing for people, because "free market", "freedom" and "liberty", have all been appropriated and corrupted by factions of the established political order who keep themselves as busy as possible killing and looting, and interfering with peoples' lives and appropriating resources which do not rightfully belong to them.

Libertarianism does not advocate doing evil. It only advocates good. Yes, judge individuals by their actions - by how much they kill, steal and lie - by the injustice they practice. Libertarianism seeks a society where people cooperate to smother injustice.

Of course the problem is that many people don't have a clue about how to define "injustice" or to talk about ethics. I think it's true to say that there has been a lot of propaganda advocating moralities that justify State-sanctioned injustice and violence. Here's a quick formula: don't steal, don't defraud, don't kill. Easy, right? BUT then you begin to say, "but wait - the authorities need to be able to steal, defraud and kill because they're special and they always have a good reason for stealing, distorting the truth and inflicting collateral damage". When you catch yourself thinking that, then you've nailed the delusion that perpetuates the greatest evil in this world.

As long as we worship "authority" and foolishly believe in the innate goodness of those in power - of our government institutions, we are setting ouselves up for all the day to day oppression we don't even want to acknowledge - but ultimately for more world wars, for more genocides, for fearful mass acts of violent obedience to "authority". It would be better if we tried to correct our vision now and choose a different way.

You have heard of the term "Just Society". However, the terms JUSTICE and ETHICS belong only among people who are prepared to reject the violence and threat of violence against innocent people that lies at the heart of how our society is governed. Those who advocate these controls are the ones perpetuating poverty, dependency and injustice. They believe in massively empowering governments - instruments of force - to do good - to achieve ends which they consider to be good! And I suppose they believe very foolishly that people will use these instruments only for good. Give it up already.

Interfering with trade, interfering with legitimate business and economic choices come from all points of the political spectrum - and this interference always includes the threat of violence, confiscation and imprisonment. And that is why it is wrong. The same judgment applies to attempts to regulate personal lifestyles by force.

Libertarian Context
From Libertarian Party of Canada Statement of Objectives, 1993

Defence & Foreign Policy

The principle of non-initiation of force should guide relationships among governments.

A Libertarian government would adopt a policy of non-intervention, abstaining totally from foreign quarrels and imperialist adventures.

Military Capability
We support the maintenance of a military establishment sufficient to defend Canada against foreign aggression.

Conscription
We oppose any effort to introduce conscription for military service or for any other purpose. Requiring individuals to serve against their will, no matter what the service or how lofty the motive, is a denial of their individual rights.

Military Alliances
We approve of military cooperation with other governments solely to protect the rights of Canadian citizens and residents.

...

Possible Policy 2006
We favor the withdrawal of Canadian forces from Afghanistan and other nations where they are currently stationed.