A liberal government performs only those functions that by their nature require defensive (i. e., retaliatory or preventive) force or are associated with the wielding of such force, functions which therefore cannot be accomplished by the peaceful actions of individuals or voluntary associations in the free market. Those functions include:

• Police (wielding defensive force against internal aggressors).
• Foreign defense (wielding defensive force against external aggressors).
• Courts (realized under the U. S. Constitution by the judicial branch of the federal government).
• Legislation. In Locke's view, the legislative branch served only to spell out what was already implicit in natural law. Indeed, the necessity of this branch of government is disputed by some modern liberals.
• Self-administration (realized by the executive branch).

Because a liberal government is formed by an implicit social contract, it is not empowered to commit coercive aggression against innocent people. The parties to any legitimate contract cannot delegate rights that they do not possess prior to the contract. Since the individuals who are parties to the social contract do not possess the prior right to initiate force against one another, they also cannot authorize the government to aggress in this manner. Indeed, as Jefferson observed, when a particular government becomes inimical to this fundamental principle, the people have the right to dissolve it (cf. p. 5.2:20).     

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