Libertarian Values

I think that a different and potentially better approach for libertarians would be to argue that basic values like property rights and the non-initiation of force should be seen as useful and life enhancing when taken in conjunction with other moral and ethical values that someone might have.  Regardless of whether you accept absolute property rights.

The idea here is that property rights should be seen as a factor in making decisions.  We don't only consider the apparent effect of a government program to redistribute wealth or income.  The idea here is that if there is some public good, or a good that many people would like to see the poor have access to as well as the rich, then we have some preference that it be provided without recourse to government action.  We would prefer that it be provided by some charity.

Surprisingly, this is not the way this issue is seen today.  Private philanthropic efforts are denigrated.  Supposedly there are insurmountable coordination problems associated with this approach to the provision of public goods.  However, we should note that no coordination is actually necessary.  If one person gives a little, then a little good is done, as Robert Nozick pointed out.  If not enough good is being done, we need to express more gratitude toward those who do good.