Libertarianism Does Not Encompass Two Positions on Borders
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During the past few years, a popular misconception has arisen in the libertarian movement, especially among some newly minted libertarians. This misconception applies to borders and holds: “There are now two different immigration positions in libertarianism: open borders and government-controlled borders. One can take either position and still be hewing to libertarianism.”
Of course, that’s simply not true. Libertarianism is an internally consistent philosophy. As such, it does not embrace contradictions. It’s either open borders or it’s government-controlled borders. It can’t be both.
So, how do we decide which position is the libertarian position? Simple. We apply the core principle of libertarianism to the issue. That’s the non-aggression principle. It holds that any position that involves the initiation of force or fraud cannot possibly be a libertarian position.
First of all, let’s dispel another common misconception, one that is common among statists. This misconception holds that open borders means that borders disappear. That’s not true. A border is simply a line, oftentimes unseen, that establishes different political jurisdictions. Open borders simply means the right to freely cross those political lines and enter into a different jurisdiction. It does not mean that the lines — or borders — disappear. The borders remain intact, even though people are free to cross them.
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The Potomac River forms a border between Maryland and Virginia, where I live. Every day, hundreds of thousands of people from Maryland cross the border and enter Virginia. We don’t know who they are because there are no controls or restrictions on who can cross the border and enter Virginia. They could be murderers, rapists, thieves, burglars, robbers, terrorists, illegal immigrants, Muslims, Jews, Catholics, atheists, welfare-seekers, people with Covid, and anarchists.
We don’t know who all these people are because — believe it or not — nobody is vetting who is coming into our state. That’s because there is a system of open borders between Maryland and Virginia, just as there is among all the other states in the United States. That is, when people from Maryland cross the bridge spanning the Potomac River and enter Virginia, they do no
Article from The Future of Freedom Foundation
The Future of Freedom Foundation (FFF) is a leading voice in libertarian thought, tirelessly advocating for individual liberty, free markets, and limited government. Established in 1989, the FFF is more than just a think tank; it’s a hub for intellectual exploration and policy advocacy that draws on the classical liberal tradition and Austrian economics. Through insightful articles, videos, and events featuring top libertarian minds, the organization provides a robust critique of mainstream politics and policies, championing instead the principles that underlie a truly free society. For anyone seeking a principled stand for freedom and limited government, the Future of Freedom Foundation serves as an invaluable resource and an inspiring beacon.
