Guest post by Robert LeFevre. Originally published in The Voluntaryist, October 1988. Since I have repeatedly opposed the belief that one can advance the cause of liberty by political action, I have been asked on several occasions for an outline of the practical steps to be taken outside the political arena. How do we move…
Tag: natural
Re: The Joy of Manipulation
Writes Scott Noelle: The word manipulate means “to handle skillfully.” Since the main function of childhood is learning how to handle life skillfully, a “manipulative” child is only doing what comes naturally. A good relationship is one in which both parties can manipulate each other in ways they both enjoy. They dance with one mind,…
Some Critical Considerations on the US Constitution
Guest post by Carl Watner. Originally published in The Voluntaryist, February 1988. The Constitution is one of the most revered symbols of the United States. Over the years, it has taken on all the trappings of sovereignty, commanding the loyalty of almost every American. The Constitution is “America’s uncrowned king,” because “it is above party,…
National Independence
Guest post by Frederic Bastiat. Among the arguments we hear adduced in favor of the restrictive regime we must not forget that which is founded on national independence. “What should we do in case of war,” it is said, “if we are placed at the mercy of England for iron and coal?” English monopolists do…
What is Political “Extremism”?
Guest post by Laird Wilcox. Originally published in The Voluntaryist, August 1987. Roger Scruton, in the Dictionary Of Political Thought (1982) defines “extremism” as: “A vague term, which can mean: 1. Taking a political idea to its limits, regardless of ‘unfortunate’ repercussions, impracticalities, arguments and feelings to the contrary, and with the intention not only to…
The Power of Non-Violent Resistance
Guest post by Jerry M. Tinker. Originally published in The Voluntaryist, August 1987. As many writers have noted, the basic thesis, or strategy, upon which Gandhi’s satyagraha and all non-violent resistance rests is that all structures of power – government and social organizations – always depend upon the voluntary cooperation of great numbers of people…
Ten Pillars of Economic Wisdom
Guest post by Carl Watner, Kevin Cullinane, and Patricia Cullinane. Originally published in The Voluntaryist, February, 1987. 1. The art of understanding economics (whole systems of human energy transfer) consists in looking not merely at the immediate, but at the longer effects of any act or policy; it consists in tracing out the consequences of…
Re: They Win, We Lose
Writes Free Your Kids: No matter who wins, the people will lose. Our natural-born rights will continue to be denied, the Fed will continue to inflate the currency, taxation will continue to crush us, the police state will continue growing, and the slaughter of men, women, and children abroad will continue. The politicians win. The…
Freedom: A Truly Unknown Ideal
What is truly new is economic freedom. As Molinari pointed out in the 19th century, this can really only be traced back two hundred years. Governments have always existed in one form or another. Let’s get rid of “the political means” once and for all if you want to achieve something new.
Is Religion Compatible With a Free Society?
Guest post by Alex Perales. It seems to me that many of those interested in pursuing the knowledge of a free society have also come to other conclusions outside of our actual acting world. Not all of us have reached these conclusions because ultimately there is no logical deduction to be made to get there…