The Liberal Tradition

Social Contract Theory Thomas Hobbes 5 April 1588 – 4 December 1679 2

The State of Nature 3

Egoism The only real motivation we ever have is self-interest – our own personal pleasure and well-being. Other things – even other people! - only matter to us insofar as they contribute to our pleasure and well-being 4

Reason

The Social Contract 6

Property Rights John Locke (1632-1704) If I labor to achieve or build something, than I should be entitled to the fruit of my labor. This means that I should own it. It is my property.

Libertarianism

Libertarians oppose the following types of laws 1) They oppose Paternalistic laws. 2) They oppose Morals legislation laws. 3) They oppose the income tax. The only thing government should do is protect people from (and prosecute people for) force, theft, and fraud. 9

Nozick's argument for Libertarianism P1: We own ourselves P2: If we own ourselves, then we own the work we do P3: if we own the work we do, then we own our wages P4: If Uncle Sam taxes our wages, then he takes them from us by force P5: If he takes our wages by force then he claims to own us. P6: If anyone claims to own part of me, he is unjust toward me ____________________________ C: Income tax is unjust Nozick's argument for Libertarianism

Ayn Rand’s argument