One Law

Re-thinking governance. We only need one law - the Non-Aggression Principle - the foundation of libertarianism - to maximize justice, peace, and prosperity.

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The National Defense Authorization Act Explained in 3 Minutes

 

Great piece!

As Americans celebrate the 4th of July, let’s look more deeply at how the government has expanded its reach, in effect, equivalent to a dictatorship – the antithesis of America.

Sound far-fetched?

Watch the clip and you decide whether it’s consistent with a “Government of the people, by the people, for the people…”.

The National Defense Authorization Act is just one of many modern instances of extraordinary governmental overreach and abuse – a harbinger of greater despotism and tyranny.

If political history has a way of repeating itself – and it largely does because it is inextricably tied to the imperfections of human nature – then let’s quit living in denial and push back. Let’s use our discomfort with this issue and others as inspiration and energy for real change.

And what real change would that be?

Creating a socio-economic structure fundamentally more just; thus, one more capable for providing greater peace then prosperity. Holding literally everyone and every entity, locally and globally, accountable to a single code: the Non-Aggression Principle (“NAP”) where it would be applied as the rule of law.

Logically, morally and spiritually, in this author’s opinion, it is the only way forward to better solve any problem in the world. We need to trust ourselves – not our overseers. The NAP is the foundation of pure libertarianism a/k/a anarcho-libertarianism/capitalism which hold the keys to a better future for all.

Note: The views expressed are solely the opinion of the author.
Conceptual and title source:  Storm Clouds Gathering https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNcbsB1Pizg via http://www.recuro.org/
Media source:  Storm Clouds Gathering https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNcbsB1Pizg

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Is This the Best We Can Do?

From-Aristocracy-to-Monarchy-to-Democracy1000pxI suspect that most democratically-minded people have never stopped to think that democracy may not be what it’s cracked up to be. Perhaps, it too is a historical stepping stone to something better?

After all, at least in the United States, we’re brought up, educated and then repetitively reinforced through a myriad of media types and sources that representative democracy is the epitome of all available systems of governance. So good in fact, that we’re somehow morally justified in forcing it on others.

However, if it hadn’t occurred to some before, then after watching the last several months of the U.S. presidential electoral process, I also suspect that more folks may now be wondering just what the hell has happened to this country and perhaps with the democratic model as a whole.

So, looking under the hood:  is representative democracy the best we can do?

And if not, what would we trade it for?  Right?  Because if we’re going to complain, then we better have a solution …and in the case of social re-organization, a damn good one for sure!

For many of the politically and non-politically minded, that may sound like a non-issue (probably mostly for the reasons above).  For others, struggling for something deeper – whatever that may mean individually – and willing to think outside of the current political box (for you Constitutionalists, see the Preamble to the Declaration of Independence – you have the right and arguably the obligation to test fundamentals) that question can really inspire some passionate discussion; the type that could well overtake and ruin a good Thanksgiving dinner!

Nonetheless, at some point, like daily! …we need to continually recognize and remember that social organization has been in constant evolution since time immemorial and with the decentralization in informational resources, communications; and soon, energy and money, then this evolution will most certainly quicken to a pace unknown in human history.

And, as disruptive is that process has tended to be, in the long run it has proven better for the greater mass of humanity than not, but there is still obviously much room for improvement.

This social and political evolution …and a suggested solution (a likely inevitable one)… is very nicely illustrated and supported in the succinct and very readable:

From Aristocracy to Monarchy to Democracy — A Tale of Moral and Economic Folly and Decay by Hans-Hermann Hoppe, an Austrian School economist and libertarian/anarcho-capitalist theorist/philosopher, Professor Emeritus of Economics at UNLV, Distinguished Senior Fellow with the Mises Institute, founder and president of The Property and Freedom Society.

It’s a fantastic little book! If you are not familiar with Mr. Hoppe and you are open-minded and desirous of moving toward a social organization which far better supports the free and peaceful movement of people, ideas, services and goods of all types, with greater responsibility and security that can be provided by any centralized form of governance, then he and a host of others at Mises Institute offer the most realistic way forward.  Give it a read.  See if it resonates.

Note: The views expressed are solely the opinion of the author.
Conceptual source:  Hans-Hermann Hoppe.
Media source:  Mises.org

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Is Anarcho-Libertarianism Anti-American?

Is Anarcho-Libertarianism American Cementary at Collevilleanti-American?

With the recent passing of Veterans Day, I was reminded of past conversations where it was asserted that support of Anarcho-Libertarianism (AL) was unpatriotic and anti-American; and, especially ungrateful and disrespectful to all those who sacrificed their lives or otherwise suffered for the preservation of American freedom.

Initially, this perspective seems to hold some truth, especially if one equates government to its constituents where government (those employed by or otherwise operating through it) and its citizens are all equal in the “eyes of the law”, being all on the same team so to speak.

However, if we remember that in fact government and its agents are not subject to the same standards, rules and laws as the constituents, then it becomes clear that their interests can and do diverge, often to the point of contradiction!  As such, two classes of persons result. Those who directly or indirectly subsist through the force of government and those who directly or indirectly subsist through the mutual consent of market exchange. An injustice by definition.

Mind you, this is not to suggest that all persons working for or through the government are bandits, thieves, etc.; only that the structure of government provides the deepest cover for such personalities and behavior and allows these systemic deficiencies to accumulate without efficient and timely correction, but that is another story so back to our veterans.

This danger of divisiveness inherent to the existence of government was probably best memorialized by an assertion where Benjamin Franklin who upon leaving the Constitutional Convention supposedly responded to a question as to the type of government the delegates had just created. His response: “A republic, if you can keep it.” We may never know exactly why he alluded to potential instability, but by logic and human nature, the fact remains that it was so then and is even more so now.

Similarly, we need not look further than the Declaration of the thirteen united States of America where it is expressly provided:

“…Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the Consent of the Governed, that whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such Principles, and organizing its Powers in such Form as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness…” [emphasis added].

At its core, AL recognizes and respects what it actually means to be American, what it means to be really free and personally accountable, what it means to maintain and improve upon these ideals; all of which, promises a better future for humanity. AL is a socioeconomic political structure which is decentralized, organic, scale-able and more efficient in self-correction than any form of governance currently in practice. And, you don’t need a Constitution to enforce the Non-Aggression Principle.

Although very special from a historical and patriotic perspective, what is most special about American culture is not the typical American symbols:  Old Glory, the American Bald Eagle, Lady Liberty, the shape of our boundaries, the military might of the U.S. Armed Forces, etc. Yes, these are important and interesting icons and symbols to be sure. But like a map to the terrain, these symbols cannot replace or fully reflect the ideal and importance of a nearly unparalleled early culture of freedom; a sense that anything was possible by anyone – the wellspring of entrepreneurialism. Within generations and over lifetimes, relative to the past, many dreams were indeed fulfilled so much that America became known for that sense of real possibility; hence, how the Great American Experiment realized the American Dream.

Almost laughably, government has co-opted this spirit of all things possible as its sole domain, as the provider of the American Dream – think of its marketing of the Armed Forces and related agencies as global protectors and inventors, NASA’s space race, the justification of the postal service or the political promise of more jobs, higher wages, better education, less war, etc. – in sum, providing a better life. In reality, just the opposite has occurred, and not just over the last few years, but well over the last half century. The list of promises is nearly endless as it is incredulous; and, the trend continues. The good news is:  it is not a Republican or Democratic party problem; nor a people problem – it is just a structural problem which unlike human nature is fixable.

Today, that early essence of America – a culture of expanding freedom – has been wholly suffocated by an ever-growing obsession to plan, manage and control literally everyone and everything – seemingly everywhere – a fool’s errand if there ever was one. For generations, we’ve let government and a cadre of special interests grow and increasingly parasitize value created through consensual exchange. Talk about redistribution of wealth.

Although I can never fully empathize with battlefield veterans (not having first hand experience with war), I strongly suspect that the continual expansion of governmental repression of freedom was not what they had in mind when risking their lives. I also would gamble that if more persons were fully apprised of AL, then there would be a better understanding that the earlier ideal of freedom in American culture – that wellspring of entrepreneurialism which can solve any problem – would be best served and protected by AL thus creating the best environment for maximal and sustainable justice, peace and prosperity.

I’d say that’s über-American. Got AL?

Note: The views expressed are solely the opinion of the author.
Conceptual source: Murray N. Rothbard and Hans-Hermann Hoppe.
Media source: Wikipedia – American Battle Monuments Commission.