Civil libertarian refers to one who is actively concerned with the protection of individual liberty. This term refers to the social aspects of libertarianism rather than the fiscal aspects.

Generally one who considers themselves a civil libertarian is concerned with civil liberties and civil rights. This person does not necessarily agree with fiscal libertarianism. Civil libertarians might, for example, argue that the fundamental civil right to self determination means that pornography and drug use should be legal, but they might have no objection to taxation and civil ordinances. Both conservative and liberal ideologies have civil libertarian adherents.