Most people agree with the most significant fundamental tenet of Libertarianism: ‘Government Out of My Business’.
On the face of it, this makes sense — our freedom to do what we want with our own land, property and financial resources rightfully should be treasured and valued.
Historically, the oppression of human beings has long been associated with autocratic rulers and authoritarian governments, and as a result, these conditions are anathema to most people.
However, with overpopulation, comes changes in freedoms. With 7.5 Billion humans on Earth, we can no longer act as if the World’s resources are infinite, and that our personal space can be unimpaired by government or our neighbors.
For example, say a herd of deer were wandering a suburb. Bob, a Libertarian determines that this ‘resource’ could feed his family and it is his ‘right’ to take this ‘natural resource’ on or near his property. As a result, Bob then decides to pick up his rifle and start shooting. Clearly this is not a tenable situation. Surely, it is easy to imagine the pandemonium that would result if there were no government regulations to prevent discharging high powered rifles in human living spaces.
Similarly, if Jane’s large diesel truck is running out in an open road, we say: ‘Oh, no problem, Jane has the right to run that engine’. But if that same truck is parked outside my kids’ bedroom window and every morning the deadly toxic smoke from warming up said engine drifts into their room and causes their asthma, and contributes to my heart disease, then do I have the right to ask her not to do so?
Unfortunately, the Earth’s atmosphere is finite. My behavior releasing toxins that you have no choice but to breathe affects you greatly, and harms you. Witness the increasing rates of cancers, heart disease, strokes, etc. worldwide in large cities.
Where do my rights end, and that of you and your family begin?
There are simply too many of us to have unbounded freedoms — regardless of our desires to the contrary.
