Libertarianism argues against government intervention in our private lives unless our rights are invaded. The principles of this political philosophy extend to marriage and the rights to one’s personal choices, despite how abhorrent or repugnant we find it.
The primary argument in the Western world today is the definition of marriage. One side argues that marriage should be defined by government as a union between a man and a woman. Another side says government should interpret marriage as an individual’s choice.
However, the word that would make libertarians cringe is: government.
Libertarianism is consistent in its belief system. Libertarians do not want state interference on economic issues unless a contract has been broken. Libertarians do not want government intervention on social issues unless rights have been invaded.
Marriage is a decision for one person to make. It’s a spiritual issue. It’s a family issue. Libertarians feel that marriage should not be dictated to the people by the government, but rather the people should be allowed to marry whoever they would like to spend the rest of their lives with.
As long as the marriage doesn’t invade another person’s lifestyle choice or is against someone’s will, then marriage between a man and a man or a woman and a woman is allowable under the libertarian guiding principles.
“Ironically, liberal social engineers who wish to use federal government power to redefine marriage will be able to point to the constitutional marriage amendment as proof that the definition of marriage is indeed a federal matter!,” wrote Texas Republican Congressman Ron Paul in 2004.
“I am unwilling either to cede to federal courts the authority to redefine marriage, or to deny a state’s ability to preserve the traditional definition of marriage. Instead, I believe it is time for Congress and state legislatures to reassert their authority by refusing to enforce judicial usurpations of power.”
Dr. Paul, the author of “The Revolution: A Manifesto” and a three-time presidential candidate who has brought libertarianism to mainstream America, argues that at the most, state and local governments should deal with the marriage issues, but as libertarians pontificate, he concurs that individuals must handle this matter.
Of course, as the 12-term Congressional Representative alluded to during a GOP primary debate, why does the government have any role at all in marriage? Why does a couple need a marriage license? Why does there have to be an effect on taxes due to a marriage?