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We can all construct beautiful sounding ideals. I have
one as well, and I think it is every bit as attractive
as John's.
- In my ideal individuals have strong
non-interference individual rights that do not owe
their existence to government.
- Coercion is allowed only to protect those
rights.
- No individual is to be used as an unwilling
resource to improve the lot of others.
- The main role of the state is to protect
individual rights.
- My ideal also allows each individual to develop
his or her capacities – but it does not do so by
drawing on the efforts of others to make that
development possible. Instead, it restrains
others. It keeps them out of the way and allows
each individual to work within the free space
provided to accomplish his or her own projects.
- As far as property is concerned, it is strongly
protected from government action and other
individuals because it is the basis of individual
freedom. Allow the government to increasingly
regulate property and you will soon find other
rights eroded.
John believes that human beings will flourish because
others are required to provide them with resources. I
believe just the opposite -- that human beings will
flourish because they are left alone by their fellows
and allowed to keep the fruits of their own labors.
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