libertarianism

Political theory that upholds the rights of the individual above all other considerations and seeks to minimize the power of the state to the safeguarding of those rights.

At its most extreme it sees the state as having no legitimate power to interfere with people's lives, since permission for such interference has not been granted by the individual concerned. Individuals should be free to do whatever they like so long as it does not affect the rights of others. Recent advocates have included the philosopher Robert Nozick.