Non-aggression principle
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The non-aggression principle[a] (NAP) is a concept in which "aggression" – defined as initiating or threatening any forceful interference with an individual, their property[b] or their agreements (contracts) – is illegitimate and should be prohibited.[1][2] Interpretations of the NAP vary, particularly concerning issues like intellectual property, force, and abortion.
The non-aggression principle is considered by some to be a defining principle of libertarianism, particularly its principle of NAP-libertarianism, as well as propertarianism/right-libertarianism, laissez-faire capitalism, neoliberalism, and criticism of socialism,[3] and its central idea of anarcho-capitalism, voluntaryism, and minarchism.[4][5][6][7]
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- ^ Long, Roderick (2008). "Nonaggression Axiom". In Hamowy, Ronald (ed.). The Encyclopedia of Libertarianism. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE; Cato Institute. pp. 357–60. doi:10.4135/9781412965811.n219. ISBN 978-1-4129-6580-4. LCCN 2008009151. OCLC 750831024.
...except in response to the initiation ... of similar forcible interference ....
- ^ Zwolinski, Matt (2016). "The Libertarian Nonaggression Principle". Social Philosophy and Policy. 32 (2): 62–90. doi:10.1017/S026505251600011X. Retrieved 14 June 2025.
- ^ Phred Barnet. "The Non-Aggression Principle (Americanly Yours, April 14, 2011)". Retrieved November 22, 2011.
- ^ "The Morality of Libertarianism". The Future of Freedom Foundation. October 2015. Retrieved 2016-03-16.
- ^ "The Non-Aggression Axiom of Libertarianism". Lew Rockwell. Retrieved 2016-03-22.
- ^ "What is the "non-aggression principle"?". Advocates for Small Government. Retrieved 2016-03-22.
- ^ "Discovering Libertarianism – Non-Aggression Principle". Young Americans for Liberty. Archived from the original on 2016-04-09. Retrieved 2016-03-22.