Independent vs. Libertarian: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Independent describes a person not affiliated with any political party, while a Libertarian is someone who advocates for minimal government and maximum personal freedom.
Key Differences
An Independent is an individual who may vote for candidates from any political party or none at all, choosing not to commit to a particular political ideology. A Libertarian, conversely, has specific beliefs aligned with the Libertarian Party, emphasizing personal freedom and limited government. Independents assess candidates and policies on a case-by-case basis without a predetermined party platform. Libertarians, while they support a broad spectrum of freedoms, may still adhere to a consistent political philosophy.
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Independents are not bound by the platform of any party and may have a wide range of beliefs that do not fit neatly into the platforms of established parties. Libertarians are part of a distinct political group with defined principles, particularly stressing individual liberty and skepticism of state power. While Independents prioritize flexibility in their political choices, Libertarians prioritize their core principles of liberty and minimal state intervention in both economic and social matters.
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Nov 08, 2023
The term "Independent" is often used to describe voters and candidates who do not align with the traditional political parties. "Libertarian" not only describes a political affiliation but also a philosophy that has its roots in classical liberalism and a significant emphasis on individualism. Independent politicians can embody a variety of political positions that span the left-right spectrum, whereas Libertarian politicians typically advocate for policies that are consistent with Libertarian philosophy.
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It's important to note that being an Independent does not necessarily imply centrism, as an Independent can hold extreme or mixed views on the political spectrum. Libertarians, in contrast, follow a more predictable pattern rooted in their emphasis on reducing the role of government in all spheres. In some cases, an Independent might agree with Libertarians on specific issues but would not identify as a Libertarian due to differing views on other policies.
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Nov 08, 2023
Comparison Chart
Political Party Affiliation
No affiliation to any party
Affiliated with the Libertarian Party
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Ideology
Varied, not tied to a specific set
Specific ideology emphasizing personal freedom
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Policy Decision Basis
Case-by-case assessment
Based on principles of individual liberty
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Political Spectrum Placement
Can be anywhere on the spectrum
Usually on the side favoring less government control
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Independent and Libertarian Definitions
Independent
Free from outside control; not subject to another's authority.
She was fiercely independent and made her decisions alone.
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Libertarian
Someone who values individual freedom over collective regulation.
As a libertarian, she believed in personal responsibility rather than government mandates.
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Independent
Not depending on another for livelihood or subsistence.
He's been independent since he got his first job at sixteen.
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Libertarian
A member or supporter of the Libertarian Party.
He campaigned as a Libertarian in the local government elections.
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Independent
Capable of thinking or acting for oneself.
Her independent thinking was encouraged at the progressive school.
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Libertarian
A person who advocates for civil liberty and minimal state intervention.
The libertarian argued for the decriminalization of drug use.
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Libertarian
Holding beliefs that prioritize free will and voluntary association.
His libertarian views made him skeptical of the proposed regulations.
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Independent
Free from the influence, guidance, or control of another or others; self-reliant
An independent mind.
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Libertarian
Favoring a free market economy with little government oversight.
The libertarian economist wrote extensively about the benefits of deregulation.
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Independent
Not determined or influenced by someone or something else; not contingent
A decision independent of the outcome of the study.
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Libertarian
One who advocates maximizing individual rights and minimizing the role of the state.
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Independent
Often Independent Affiliated with or loyal to no one political party or organization.
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Independent
Not dependent on or affiliated with a larger or controlling entity
An independent food store.
An independent film.
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Libertarian
One who advocates liberty, either generally or in relation to a specific issue.
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Independent
Not relying on others for support, care, or funds; self-supporting.
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Libertarian
A believer in right-libertarianism, a political doctrine that emphasizes individual liberty and a lack of governmental regulation, intervention, and oversight both in matters of the economy (‘free market’) and in personal behavior where no one’s rights are being violated or threatened.
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Independent
Providing or being sufficient income to enable one to live without working
A person of independent means.
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Libertarian
A left-libertarian, an antiauthoritarian believer in both individual freedom and social justice (social equality and mutual aid).
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Libertarian
(philosophy) A believer in the freedom of thinking beings to choose their own destiny, i.e. a believer in free will as opposed to those who believe the future is predetermined.
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Independent
Of or relating to a system of equations no one of which can be derived from another equation in the system.
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Libertarian
Having the beliefs of libertarians; having a relative tendency towards liberty.
He has libertarian views.
A libertarian capitalist.
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Independent
Independent Of or relating to the 17th-century English Independents.
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Libertarian
(dated) Relating to liberty, or to the doctrine of free will, as opposed to the doctrine of necessity.
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Independent
Often Independent One that is independent, especially a voter, officeholder, or political candidate who is not committed to a political party.
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Oct 19, 2023
Libertarian
Pertaining to liberty, or to the doctrine of free will, as opposed to the doctrine of necessity.
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Oct 19, 2023
Independent
Independent A member of a movement in England in the 17th century advocating the political and religious independence of individual congregations.
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Independent
Not dependent; not contingent or depending on something else; free.
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Independent
(politics) Not affiliated with any political party.
The independent candidate
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Independent
Not subject to bias or influence; self-directing.
A man of an independent mind
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Independent
A candidate or voter not affiliated with any political party, a freethinker, free of a party platform.
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Independent
Not dependent; free; not subject to control by others; not relying on others; not subordinate; as, few men are wholly independent.
A dry, but independent crust.
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Independent
Affording a comfortable livelihood; as, an independent property.
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Independent
Not subject to bias or influence; not obsequious; self-directing; as, a man of an independent mind.
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Independent
Expressing or indicating the feeling of independence; free; easy; bold; unconstrained; as, an independent air or manner.
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Independent
Separate from; exclusive; irrespective.
That obligation in general, under which we conceive ourselves bound to obey a law, independent of those resources which the law provides for its own enforcement.
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Independent
Belonging or pertaining to, or holding to the doctrines or methods of, the Independents.
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Independent
Not dependent upon another quantity in respect to value or rate of variation; - said of quantities or functions.
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Independent
Not bound by party; exercising a free choice in voting with either or any party.
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Oct 19, 2023
Independent
One who believes that an organized Christian church is complete in itself, competent to self-government, and independent of all ecclesiastical authority.
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Independent
One who does not acknowledge an obligation to support a party's candidate under all circumstances; one who exercises liberty in voting.
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Independent
A writer or artist who sells services to different employers without a long-term contract with any of them
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Independent
Free from external control and constraint;
An independent mind
A series of independent judgments
Fiercely independent individualism
An independent republic
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Independent
Not dependent on or conditioned by or relative to anything else
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Independent
Of a clause; able to stand alone syntactically as a complete sentence;
The main (or independent) clause in a complex sentence has at least a subject and a verb
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Independent
Not influenced by others; impartial.
The independent investigator was hired to ensure an unbiased review.
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Independent
Not affiliated with a political party.
She ran as an independent candidate and won the election.
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Repeatedly Asked Queries
Can an independent be a libertarian?
Yes, an independent can hold libertarian views but chooses not to formally affiliate with the Libertarian Party.
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What defines an independent voter?
An independent voter is not registered with any political party and can vote for any candidate in elections.
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What are core libertarian beliefs?
Core libertarian beliefs include individual freedom, limited government, free markets, and personal responsibility.
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What is the Libertarian Party's stance on healthcare?
The Libertarian Party typically advocates for less government involvement in healthcare.
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How do independent candidates run for office?
Independent candidates run without the formal support of a political party, often petitioning to get on the ballot.
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Is libertarianism left or right?
Libertarianism is typically considered right-wing on economic issues and left-wing on social issues.
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Do independents lean toward a political side?
Independents can lean toward any side of the political spectrum or remain centrist.
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Are there different types of libertarians?
Yes, there are many types, including minarchists, who want minimal government, and anarcho-capitalists, who want no government.
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What is the historical origin of libertarianism?
Libertarianism has roots in the classical liberal movements of the 18th and 19th centuries.
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Can a libertarian believe in some government programs?
While less common, some libertarians may support limited government programs, especially if they increase overall freedom.
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Do independent politicians caucus with other parties?
Sometimes independent politicians caucus with a major party to gain committee assignments in legislatures.
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How do independent voters impact elections?
Independent voters can swing elections, as they are not predictable voters for either of the major parties.
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What do libertarians think of taxes?
Libertarians typically advocate for lower taxes and fewer government services.
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Why do some choose to be independent rather than join a party?
Some prefer the flexibility of being independent to evaluate candidates and issues without party bias.
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How do independents shape policy?
Independents can shape policy by supporting legislation on an issue-by-issue basis, often acting as tiebreakers.
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Is there an Independent Party?
There is no single Independent Party; the term refers to any candidate or voter who is not affiliated with a recognized party.
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What distinguishes libertarianism from anarchism?
Libertarianism advocates for minimal government, while anarchism advocates for no government.
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Why might someone switch from a party to become libertarian?
Someone might switch due to disillusionment with the current parties' stance on personal freedoms and government size.
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What is a common misconception about libertarians?
A common misconception is that libertarians are against all forms of government.
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How can I register as an independent?
In the U.S., you can register as an independent by selecting 'No Party Affiliation' or a similar option on voter registration forms.
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Nov 08, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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