Can a libertarian be an effective altruist?

Peter Singer · 2 Sept 2026

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Our reading
People today often know as much about the needs created by a drought or flood on the other side of the world as about the needs of those in their own region.

Their wordsBut today, of course, we often know as much about the needs created by a drought or flood on the other side of the world as we do about the needs of those in our own region.
Our reading
Libertarianism has nothing against voluntary altruism and every reason to want it as effective as possible, so a libertarian can support and practise Effective Altruism.

Their wordsBut libertarianism has nothing to say against voluntary altruism, and every reason to think that it is good for that altruism to be as effective as possible. Hence there is no barrier to a libertarian supporting, and practising, Effective Altruism.

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