Just How Much of a Libertarian Are You?

Tom Pennington/Getty Images(WASHINGTON) — Even if you view yourself as a libertarian, you may not hold all the same beliefs as Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, a possible candidate for the 2016 GOP presidential nomination.

Paul identifies himself as a libertarian, which is defined as “someone whose political views emphasize individual freedom by limiting the role of government.”

While it’s a growing movement, only a small minority of Americans — 14 percent — identify themselves as such, according to a Pew Research Center poll of 3,243 adults.

Meanwhile, a good chunk of people who consider themselves libertarian aren’t on board with Paul’s non-interventionist foreign policy. In fact, 43 percent agreed with the statement that “It is best for the future of our country to be active in world affairs.”

Only 35 percent of the general public concurs with that belief, the poll found.

However, Pew says that of those who identity with libertarian causes, 82 percent agree “Americans shouldn’t have to give up privacy and freedom in order to be safe from terrorism” and 56 percent think government regulation of business does more harm than good. In both instances, that’s more than the general public.

More libertarians than non-libertarians support legalizing marijuana while looking down on entitlement programs such as Social Security and Medicare.

More men than women hold libertarian beliefs as do more college graduates than those with only high school educations, Pew found.

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