In this paper it is shown that the validity of the Le Chatelier-Braun principle (CHBP) in linear nonequilibrium thermodynamics (LNT) is connected with the symmetry properties of the kinetic coefficients in Onsager's relations of reciprocity. If the CHBP is understood as the stability criterion of the stationary state, it is concluded that it remains valid independently of the symmetry or antisymmetry of the cross-kinetic coefficients. Another approach involves the fact that CHBP gives an account of the system's response to a real external effect due to which the system passes from the initial nonequilibrium stationary state into another nonequilibrium stationary state. We show here for a system with n forces and fluxes that the CHBP does not apply in general in the case of antisymmetric cross-kinetic coefficients. We also prove that in this case the minimum entropy production law does not apply.

Consequences of symmetry properties of the phenomenological kinetic coefficients in Onsager-Casimir reciprocity relations for the minimum entropy production law validity are studied. The usually accepted symmetry requirement of the all cross kinetic coefficients for the validity of this law is found to be too strict.

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