Libertarian vs Anarchist
Libertarian and Anarchist are followers of two doctrines, namely, Libertarianism and Anarchism respectively. A libertarian is more concerned about rights. He is concerned about the right to ownership by self. He would labor hard, but at the same time, he would press for his right over the product of his labor. Libertarians are faith based. They need not necessarily be theological in their concepts.
On the other hand, an anarchist is theological in his concept. It is believed that libertarian is friendly in nature, whereas an anarchist is hostile in nature. An anarchist is generally construed to be aggressive and dangerous too when compared to a libertarian.
Libertarians resort to the quality of non-aggressiveness. They are non-aggressive in order to proclaim their right over ownership by self. This kind of urge for ownership by self makes them look non-aggressive. Libertarian looks equally at the self-ownership of others too. In other words, it can be said that libertarian feels that one should not use forceful means to intrude into the self-ownership of any other person.
In short it can be said that a libertarian is more ethical in his behavior when compared to an anarchist. A libertarian resorts to ethical methods to bring about self-ownership of the product of his own labor and the self-ownership of the other persons. On the other hand, an anarchist due to his telling and aggressive nature does not adhere to ethics at all times. This is a significant difference between libertarian and anarchist.
One of the most noteworthy characteristics of libertarian is toleration. He considers toleration as the most fundamental virtue in aiming at self-ownership of the product of his labor. On the other hand, an anarchist does not rate toleration as an important requisite. This is possibly due to his aggressive nature.
Libertarians do not use force, and they consider that the use of force is highly illegitimate and unwanted. On the other hand, an anarchist uses force due to his telling nature and hence considers the use of force as legitimate. Libertarians are not intent on approving the actions of others. Libertarians would persuade others to act well and effective and thereby bring about any change they needed. On the other hand, anarchists approve of the actions of others.
One of the important characteristics of a libertarian is that he opposes the government. According to libertarianism, government is bent upon intruding into the self-ownership of the product of labor and hence is fit to be opposed. On the other hand, an anarchist differs in this view of libertarian. An anarchist propagates political concepts and promotes hostile ideas. He supports the abolition of the political state. A libertarian tries to liberate people from the authority of the society. On the other hand, anarchist aims at the liberation of self from political authority. A libertarian can turn into an anarchist, but an anarchist cannot necessarily turn into a libertarian.