by Jacob G. Hornberger

August 20, 2026

One of the fundamental differences between libertarians and conservatives pertains to the concepts of morality, responsibility, and freedom. Conservatives are wrong and libertarians are right on this issue.

Conservatives hold that before people can be permitted to be free, they have to be moral and responsible. Thus, the reason that many conservatives oppose freedom for the American people is because, conservatives say, the American people are not sufficiently moral and responsible. As soon as they become sufficiently moral and responsible, conservatives say, they will have earned the right to be free.

Thus, we need a drug war, conservatives say, because too many Americans consume illicit drugs. They even break criminal laws to do it. That shows that they are simply too immoral and irresponsible to live in a free society—that is, one that has no drug laws. As soon as Americans become moral and responsible by ceasing to consume illicit drugs, they’ll be permitted to live without drug laws.

Or consider the welfare state. Americans, conservatives tell us, are not sufficiently moral and responsible to decide for themselves whether to help out others who need help. We can’t, for example, repeal Social Security because children are not yet sufficiently moral or responsible to help out their parents or grandparents. They simply cannot be trusted to handle this on their own. That’s why we need Social Security, conservatives tell us. It’s also why conservatives tell us we need welfare programs for the poor. Since Americans are not sufficiently moral or responsible, we need a federal “safety net.”

There is, of course, one big problem with this conservative position: It lasts indefinitely. The lack of freedom becomes permanent. That’s because it is virtually impossible for people to become sufficiently moral or responsible when they are denied the freedom to choose. Without freedom of choice, people remain mired in immorality and irresponsibility.

Libertarianism holds that people have the right to be free regardless of whether they are sufficiently moral or responsible. Freedom is a natural, God-given right. It doesn’t depend on whether people are already moral or responsible. In other words, even if people are totally immoral and irresponsible, they nonetheless have the right to be free.

But here’s the catch: It is only through freedom that people can become moral or responsible. The conscience is like a muscle—it must be constantly exercised to be strengthened. When people are faced with such questions as “Should I help my ailing parents or grandparents in need?” or “Should I help that poor person in need?” or “Should I donate to my church?” they are necessarily exercising their conscience. That process is what elevates not only the sense of morality and responsibility within the individual but also society generally.

The best thing Americans could ever do is reject conservatism (as well as progressivism, which forces people to be good, caring, and compassionate). The best thing Americans could ever do is embrace libertarianism and the freedom, morality, and responsibility that come with it.