What is a Libertarian?
“Libertarianism is in essence a defense of a type of capitalism known as “pristine capitalism.” It is capitalism in which the market does not give way to a growing state role in structuring economic relations and distributing income; individual entrepreneurship does not give way to the bureaucratic corporation; competition does not give way to monopoly; concrete, owner-controlled property does not give way to abstract stock ownership. The libertarian defense of pristine capitalism has often tended to be materialist and secular in nature. Capitalism is justified by its superior efficiency, its promotion of technological innovation and material progress. The appeal is to individual self-interest because capitalism maximizes individual prosperity. Libertarian arguments dominated conservative and right-wing Republican views from the New Deal until the 1950s. They rejected collectivism on the basis that it assumes there exists an ethical code in society and that it is the role of the state to pursue goals based on this code.”
Here are some additional characteristics or defining attributes of Libertarians, from that same quoted source:
Libertarians are preoccupied with the growth of the state as an organizer and planner of social life; they believe there was an order of things that left to itself would take care of itself; and defend private property and are skeptical of egalitarian attempts.
Additionally, (1) Libertarians argue the central problem is the tendency to restrict individual freedom in the name of a common good or shared values, and that such a tendency leads to collectivism; (2) Libertarians believe that freedom and individualism are hampered when there is presumed to be a common moral code; (3) Libertarians believe society is an association (not a community); (4) Libertarians take for granted that the individual has the capacity for self-direction and self-control and their condition for freedom is negatively defined as an absence of constraints; (5) Libertarians avoid defining moral standards of how individuals ought live because they are wary of any collectivist implications of a common good. They believe the central concern of social and political institutions should be to establish the conditions under which individuals can pursue their own goals, not to define goals for them; (6) Everything about libertarianism requires minimal state action; (7) Finally, Libertarians see pristine capitalism as the solution to collectivism.
Here are some other sources on Libertarianism.
Libertarianism. http://www.libertarianism.com/what-it-is.htm This website is devoted to Libertarianism, including some basic concepts along with Links to other Libertarian websites.
On defining Libertarianism. http://www.self-gov.org/quiz-score/lib-whatlib-define.html
What is Libertarianism? http://www.mondopolitico.com/ideologies/libertarianism/whatislibertarianism.htm