Contractarian Libertarianism - Philosophical Concept | Alexandria
Contractarian Libertarianism: A philosophy that seeks to justify libertarian principles through the framework of social contract theory. It posits that a just society is one that individuals would rationally agree to under hypothetical conditions designed to ensure fairness and impartiality. Unlike natural rights-based libertarianism, which asserts inherent rights as justification, contractarian libertarianism derives its principles from a voluntary agreement among autonomous individuals. Often confused with minarchism or anarcho-capitalism, it invites the question of whether individual liberty can genuinely be born from collective agreement.
The roots of contractarian thought can be traced back to early social contract theorists, such as Thomas Hobbes (1651) in Leviathan, though not explicitly libertarian. Hobbes argued for a powerful sovereign to enforce the contract, contrasting with the libertarian emphasis on limited government. Later, John Locke’s Two Treatises of Government (1689) edged closer, defending natural rights and a government accountable to the people. However, it was in the 20th century that contractarianism began to be explicitly linked to libertarianism. The tension between individual autonomy and collective agreement creates a complex history, one intertwined with debates about the legitimacy of power.
A key figure in the evolution of contractarian libertarianism is philosopher John Rawls, despite not being a libertarian himself. His A Theory of Justice (1971) introduced the "veil of ignorance," a thought experiment where individuals choose principles of justice without knowing their future position in society. While Rawls used it to justify egalitarianism, others, such as David Gauthier in Morals by Agreement (1986), adapted the veil of ignorance to argue for libertarian outcomes, such as strong property rights. The legacy of these debates continues to fuel legal and political discourse about the fundamental conditions of a just society, including the extent to which individual freedom should be regarded as an inalienable right or as a product of negotiated societal norms.
Contractarian libertarianism’s enduring impact lies in its attempt to reconcile individual liberty with the need for social cooperation. Contemporary reinterpretations often explore its implications for issues such as taxation, welfare, and international relations. Whether a truly libertarian society can emerge from a hypothetical contract remains a provocative question. Does contractarianism offer a robust justification for libertarianism, or does it simply repackage pre-existing libertarian convictions within a contractual framework? The search for answers to these questions continues.