
Saving Liberty
This blog uses the Model of Understanding to propose solutions to the pressing social and political problems facing us today.
The heart of America is in danger of being consumed by groups that claim they adhere to the principle of Liberty but in fact their actions are not only undermining this principle but by distorting what Liberty is and, in some cases with purpose, placing Liberty subordinate to collectivism or religious and ideological dogma are reversing the progress made through the implementation of Liberty. Recognizing these groups are the first step but we should also realize the danger posed by an strategy of appeasement or unfounded suppression of those using social coercion: we must not use unjustifiable coercion to counter unjustifiable coercion. This will not only retard the progress made towards improving the human condition and advancing individual liberty but will also jeopardize our future. What is Liberty? A look at the human condition explains the development of Liberty as an ideal that improves cooperation, social cohesion and is the best means to happiness for all.
Scarcity, Freewill and Our State of Being
Scarcity of both knowledge and time expressed as labor and mortality. Scarcity of labor in the sense that human desire or the drive to obtain pleasure and avoid pain are both unlimited. Freewill to act to avoid pain or obtain pleasure. Given the an equal chance of success, we know that it is more likely that a person will act to prevent a loss than they are to act to obtain a pleasure: preventing a loss of something obtained has a greater value in our decisions than obtaining a new pleasure and because of this we are typically less likely to risk a loss of something obtained than to exert effort to obtain a pleasure. What brings pleasure and what causes pain is a result of our experience and the quality of our Soul/Being but there are statistical distributions of values based on the underlying philosophy to which we adhere. It is these values that inform our Philosophies.
Individual Actions
If one values: the greatest freedom to act, the Principle of Reciprocity and cooperation with one’s fellow human (we are social creatures after all) to obtain pleasure or avoid pain then the limitation of one’s freewill within the Principle of Reciprocity (If I limit, others must limit as well), with the goal of cooperation (division of labor) and with that the greater general happiness, then Liberty is the logical choice. Conversely, if one values limitation of freewill (Authoritarian Dogma), use of asymmetrical action to ease a personal pain or obtain a personal pleasure (Equalization of Outcome/Coercion of Justifiable Actions), democratic prescription of action (State Coercion/Socialization of Consequences) then this is not Liberty but instead, Anti-liberty, Socialism or Collectivism depending on the goals of the Coercionists.
Public Understanding of Liberty
Before coming to a conclusion, logic requires us to define “This” and “Not-This” to determine if they are the same or if they are different and if different, do they oppose each other. In the paragraph titled “Individual Actions”, the reader is asked rhetorically to agree with one set of values or another. This author speculates that most hold those values that required one to act within the Principle of Liberty. So far so good. In small groups, people feel responsible for their actions and their values are on display. In these groupings, all actors will continue to cooperate with an individual that limits their own freewill, act in a reciprocating way, and is cooperative. Problems occur when human interaction is coordinated at the level of anonymity or close to anonymity. Groups of consensual individuals acting in a coordinated manner to achieve common goals for the happiness of all without forcing others to act are acting within the Principle of Liberty — this is the model of a Republic. Those that coordinate and enlist the actions of others without their consent (slavery) to obtain goals determined by an Elite or politically powerful subset of those acting (either with or without consent) and doing so to remove or mitigate the natural consequences of the action or non-action of a likewise Elite-defined class of people are acting within the Principle of Social Coercion, Authoritarian Dogma or in Illiberality — this is the Socialist Model. In other words, It is Social to voluntarily help another either as a group or as an individual. It is Socialism to force others to do the same and is illiberal. This is the deceit, yes deceit, for the politically powerful know the difference.
Acting to Save Liberty
Having read the blog and choosing Liberty, one should act, to the best of one’s ability, to protect it but do so maintaining the values that lead to the Principle you are protecting. Do not betray those values, that is the road to illiberality and the road already traveled by those you seek to convince of the correctness of Liberty and a more perfect union of peoples acting within this principle. Some of the ways to protect Liberty:
- Support and monitor Law Enforcement — illiberality is everywhere and the reason why the motto of Law Enforcement should always be “To protect and to Serve”. Members of Law Enforcement, the pressure you are under can be great and you count on your sisters and brothers in blue for support, but if there is a culture of the “Blue Shield” within your ranks, place Liberty first.
- Join or form local groups of people who hold these values. Any Ideal grows in the presence of two or more people. Speak out against policies that go against these values but do so in a civil manner. Everyone is free to think as they wish, even words should not be limited — threats are another matter. Restrictive public policy must be opposed as vigorously as permitted by law and challenged in the courts. Physical actions should be countered as one can and to a degree that is sufficient to stop the aggression — always call Law Enforcement.
- Those inclined to take up more active roles — public debate and active participation in the political process — do it! Liberty needs you more than ever.
