There are two types of libertarianism: consequentialist and right. The consequentialist libertarians don’t follow the rules, but they do what they think is right. While right libertarians follow the rules for the better of society. In the movie Captain America: Civil War, two major superheroes go against each other, one of them being consequentialist and the other being right.
I believe Captain America is a consequentialist libertarian because he doesn’t do things by the rules. Captain America, throughout the movie, wouldn’t consider the number of disasters he would cause as long as the outcome is better. In the movie, the government passed legislation where all superheroes have to register and reveal their identities to the government because of all the disasters they were causing. In the article, Libertarians: Team Cap or Team Stark says, “The UN, says Rogers, is run by people with agendas, and agendas change.… If we sign this, we surrender our right to choose. What if this panel sends us somewhere, we don't think we should go? What if there’s somewhere we need to go, and they don't let us? … The safest hands are still our own.” (Libertarians: Team Cap or Team Stark? 2) Captain America felt that it wasn’t right that the government should take such action and take their autonomy away.
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As Thunderbolt Ross stated in the movie, “The world owes the Avengers an unpayable debt. You have fought for us, protected us, risked your lives… but while a great many people see you as heroes there are some who would prefer the word vigilantes” (Captain America: Civil War 00:21:28). This statement shows how Captain America and his team take such action to “help” the society without following the rules and not knowing how dangerous they actually are. Even though they think they are doing a good thing, they don’t see the disasters they leave behind.
Captain America said, “If I see a situation pointed south, I can’t ignore it. Sometimes I wish I could”, (Captain America: Civil War 00:59:37) This phrase explains how Captain America even if there are laws, won’t follow them because he thinks whatever he does is for the better of society. He would not think of the consequences or the damages he could cause.
I believe Iron Man is a right-libertarian because he follows the rules set by the government even though he may not like them. Iron Man believes in bringing the most happiness and better protection possible for a great number of people leading to the fact that he supported the legislation that was passed. He wants society to be better even if it cost him some of his freedom.
Iron Man pulled out his phone and showed the superheroes a picture of Charles Spencer stating, “He’s a great kid. Computer engineering degree, 3.6 GPA…. Charles decided to spend his summer building sustainable housing for the poor. Guess where? Sokovia” (Captain America: Civil War, 00:29:21). Charles Spencer was a good kid that would go beyond his way to help his society, but that was ruined when they were in Sokovia. Iron Man included how Spencer wanted to make a difference, but they would’ve never really found out because they dropped a building on him while they were fighting in a battle. Iron man was convinced that if they were to follow the rules set by the government, Charles Spencer might have still been alive. That’s why Iron man is a right-libertarian because even though he wants freedom we still need some rules to follow for the better.
I agree with Iron Man’s perspective. I think being a right-libertarian is better than being a consequentialist libertarian. We should have freedom and liberty, but we still need rules to keep the chaos out. “The total utility of individuals which is important here, the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people…. Utilitarianism can thus be described as a quantitative and reductionistic approach to Ethics.” (To Be or Not to Be...Libertarian 23) Let’s put it this way. What would happen if Iron Man isn’t a utilitarian? He would kill without acknowledging the consequences of his actions. The world would just turn into madness, that’s why we need laws. Iron Man is more practical.
Work Cited
- Corsair, Lode. “Libertarians: Team Cap or Team Stark? | Lode Cossaer, Sean J. Rosenthal.” FEE, Foundation for Economic Education, 11 May 2016, fee.org/articles/libertarians-team-cap-or-team-stark/.
- Matthiesen, Michael. “To Be or Not to Be...Libertarian.” Prezi.com, 28 Jan. 2019, prezi.com/hyvzhsnde9s1/to-be-or-not-to-belibertarian/.
- Russo, Joe and Anthony Russo, directors. Captain America: Civil War. Marvel Studios, 2016.
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