• DOI:10.1515/1932-0183.1215
• Corpus ID: 154364669

Introduction: What is Libertarianism?

@article{Moseley2012IntroductionWI,
  title={Introduction: What is Libertarianism?},
  author={Daniel D. Moseley},
  journal={Basic Income Studies},
  year={2012},
  volume={6}
}

• Daniel D. Moseley
• Published 19 January 2012
• Economics
• Basic Income Studies

To the surprise of many, a significant number of influential libertarians have endorsed basic income. The Nobel Prize winning economists Friedrich von Hayek and Milton Friedman defended versions of basic income, as have Philippe Van Parijs, Hillel Steiner and Charles Murray. The contributors to this Basic Income Studies debate issue are an interdisciplinary group of political philosophers, political scientists, economists and even a Libertarian political candidate that are interested in examining the topic of whether libertarians should endorse basic income. Many of these contributors are self-described libertarians, while some are critics of libertarianism. So this debate is not an in-house fight between libertarians. The debate focuses on whether or not basic income is justifiable within a libertarian framework, and it is intended to spark further discussion and exploration of the questions it raises. Do individuals have a moral right to basic income? What types of institutions could justifiably implement a basic income? Do states have a moral duty to provide a basic income? Is it morally permissible for states to provide a basic income? What are legitimate or justifiable revenue sources for a basic income? Are basic income programs feasible?