What Can Voluntaryists Do Now?

Written by Skyler J. Collins.

Josh Freeman asks, “What are some actions, or some guidelines, that we can implement NOW in order to live life in accord with our principles? In the journey toward a completely voluntary society, what are the first steps that I, as an individual, can take in order to achieve that vision?”

I believe that first and foremost we must be fostering these principles at home with our children. They are the closest to us and most influenced by us. I’m speaking, of course, of unschooling and unconditional parenting. Our relations with our children must be voluntary. We must prohibit the use of compulsion and violence in the way we parent and the way we communicate with our kids.

Once our homes become places of peace and love, we must extend these principles outward. We must take them to our church, our friendships and our business relationships. Never use force, except in self defense. Voluntaryism is much more than a political philosophy, it’s a life philosophy, even a spiritual philosophy and must be applied in every realm of your life. Here’re a few tips:

Don’t use violence against your children to punish them for “misbehavior“. Meet their needs with love and patience.

Don’t force your children against their will to learn this thing or that. Give them freedom to explore the world around them and facilitate their learning.

Don’t convert anyone to your politics or religion “by the sword”. Don’t vote for someone or something that will.

Don’t strong-arm or threaten the use of violence in your business transactions. Deal on the basis of mutual consent, with trust and respect.

Do serve your fellow man. Be it for business or pleasure, be an example of voluntaryist solutions to the world’s problems.

And finally, do be an example of a voluntaryist life for others, and more importantly, for your children. Godspeed.