Can anyone provide evidence that a libertarian economic and social approach to society will yield positive results for reducing the number of poor, social issues, educational, health issues, environmental issues. Also, I am looking for data that will show the effect on income equality.
I like the idea of libertarianism, but I would like to know if such an approach actually makes society better (per the above indicators).
I am willing to look at this with an open mind too.
And before anyone posts one. Appeals to the libertarian notion of liberty will not sway me. Neither will libertarian notions of morality (you are not my responsibility, etc)
First off, it depends on what you mean when you say libertarianism. There are different schools and degrees within libertarianism, just as there are in any political philosophy.
But a few of things you listed are things libertarianism simply will not do. Libertarianism will not reduce the number of poor people. Or at least that is not at all the goal or purpose of a libertarian society. Libertarianism accepts that people are have varying levels of ability and work ethic. Those lacking in one or both are likely to fall to the bottom of the pile. Ideally, libertarianism is a meritocracy. You rise as high (economically speaking) as your labors can take you. Libertarianism doesn't see a problem with income inequality. A brilliant, driven individual who produces a useful product SHOULD make significantly more money than the simpleton next door who puts in the minimal amount of effort to get by with little to no creativity or thought towards improving things. The first individual's labor is worth much more, thus his income should be worth much more. Libertarianism strives for equal opportunity, not equal results.
Now pure, hardcore libertarianism (aka minarchism) doesn't recongize that in today's world, certain basic tools are needed to provide equal opporunity for all. Their objection to public funding of education would be a huge example.
Furthermore, they have an almost religious like faith in the free market to heal all wounds and make everything right. They fail to recognize that the market can fail (think of the disaster privatized roads would be) and if left unprotected, unscrupulous individuals acting out of self interest (the driving engine of capitalism) will seek to eliminate competition and create monopolies or collusion based partnerships so they can increase their own profits without contributing any extra value to society.
Furthermore, certain products have externality costs that are not accounted for in the price the market sets. Pollution is a classic example of an externality cost.
Libertarianism is based on the idea that in a "natural state" man has total freedom. Without a government of any kind, I'm free to do anything I please. However, my neighbors are equally free to do whatever they please and they may chose to steal my property, commit violence against me, or even murder me. So we collectively invest a small portion of our individual soverignty in government so that it will guarantee our remaining freedoms. I give up the right to steal and murder, but I'm assured that I won't suffer that fate at the hands of another. With that security and my remaining freedom, I'm able to maximize my efforts as I see fit.
Moderate libertarianism recognizes that there are a few other legitimate roles of government beyond just ensuring our freedoms - protecting the free market from corruption, addressing market failures and externality costs, and equipping citizens with the basic necessities to compete (I'm thinking an education here, not a guaranteeing a minimum standard of living for able bodied individuals who could otherwise earn it).