Libertarianism Vs Utilitarian Government

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What is the most effective way of governing? Is any one form government the correct one? Is there a form of government that is absolutely better and will significantly improve the quality of life of the individuals it governs? If people were sent somewhere far off for example, Mars, should the individuals sent there live under utilitarian principles or libertarian principles? Some individuals believe that a libertarian government would best govern individuals within its geographic control, and I concur with the libertarian perspective. However, there are those who believe that the best form of government would be a utilitarian government. The idea that a successful government is one in which the majority of the people are happy, but at the …show more content…

Libertarians believe that each person owns his own life and property and has the right to make his own choices as to how he lives his life and uses his property – as long as he simply respects the equal right of others to do the same.” (theadvocates.org). Libertarians believe in three policies, no paternalism, no morals legislation, and no redistribution of income or wealth (Sandel,59). No paternalism, is against the laws that protect individuals from harm, so essentially it’s saying that if an individual decides to partake in reckless behavior and no one but the individual performing the risky behavior is harmed or affected, there should be no laws preventing the individual from performing that behavior (for example, not wearing a seatbelt). No …show more content…

“Government is necessary to ensure the proper use of force...The purpose of government is to protect the individual rights of its citizens” (importanceofphilosophy.com). And, just exactly what are our individual rights? “The freedom to act, work, think and behave without retribution bestowed upon members of an organization through legal, regulatory and societal standards” (businessdictionary.com). In other words, the government was only created as a means to protect our individual rights and ensure that we aren’t judged and are free to do as we choose as long as we do not interfere with the individual rights of others. From the beginning of time people have sought to enjoy personal freedoms without others having a say in what they do, Utilitarianism does not protect the individual rights that we were meant to have; however, libertarians strongly support individual rights and their protection. Should the government, stop doing it’s job and everything it stands for (protect our individual rights) for the happiness of majority of people? The idea and installment of government occurred because everyone felt the need to have their individual rights protected be it from external dangers, meaning threats outside of the geographic location that the government established controls, and from internal dangers, meaning from inside the geographic location under the government's control. No where in our constitution or in our