the libertarian party was founded in 1971 on the libertarian principle: that people should be free to do whatever they wish, except to initiate force, the threat of force, or fraud against others or their property. the principle does not preclude retaliatory force, as in the redress of wrongs through courts, and as in the traditional common law of self-defense. national libertarian party members, including the new york members, have paid $25 per year, and have as a condition of membership signified: "i certify that i do not believe in or advocate the initiation of force as a means of achieving political or social goals."