Anarchophobia: The fear of liberty’s logical conclusion
Posted in Liberty Rant by R Lee Wrights on June 12th, 2009 by Thomas Hill
“I heartily accept the motto, ‘That government is best which governs least’; and I should like to see it acted up to more rapidly and systematically. Carried out, it finally amounts to this, which also I believe-’That government is best which governs not at all’; and when men are prepared for it, that will be the kind of government which we will have.”
- Henry David Thoreau
I believe that wise sage from Walden’s Pond hit the nail right on the head. I wholeheartedly agree “that government is best which governs not at all.” I pray that he is right about men being prepared for it. With the current economic meltdown and the ill-fated government reaction to it, we finally may be able to bury the obsolete relic known as the State. My only fear is the number of innocent people who may be buried with it.
How can mankind become prepared for the day when the welfare checks stop coming, or no one responds to 911 emergency calls?
My advice is to believe in freedom, instead of fearing it.
Every human has a yearning to be free, deep down inside of them, whether they recognize it or not. It is embedded in our DNA. Take a look at an average young child and behold their sense of adventure and wonder. Of course, it is the job of our government schools to dull that spirit of freedom. You can’t produce docile servants of the State if students dare to think for themselves.
Government schools, like some churches, use authoritarian scare tactics based on fear and superstition. This conditioning causes people to doubt themselves and their beliefs. Freedom and fear are polar opposites. They are masters that must be served separately. They cannot exist in the same space. To truly govern yourself, you must overcome the fear.
That also includes the fear of allowing others to live their lives as they see fit, so far as their actions do not violate the rights of others. Politicians (unlike Ron Paul), and their enabling supporters always give in to this fear of letting others be free.
Anarchy, in my opinion, simply means no rulers. Humans should be free to live their own lives. With this freedom comes the responsibility to suffer the consequences of our own actions. The laws of Nature confirm this. Yet, most people fail to accept it. Having to truly be responsible for their actions might contribute to this denial. Most people prefer the sense of security a political government provides them. They believe coercive government is a necessary evil.
Fear cripples their ability to take the concept of self government to its logical conclusion. Libertarianism is based on the principles of non-aggression and self ownership. That means force is only justified to protect life, liberty and property. It also means you own your own body and the fruits of your own labor. These principles have been violated by the State since its inception.
Freedom and statism are polar opposites. They are masters that must be served separately. They cannot exist in the same space. To have a society of self government, mankind must overcome the fear.
The State has provided a “comfortable cage” for those that depend on it. Let’s hope enough people will trust their wings and fly in the direction of freedom.
Thomas Hill is the interim chair/executive director of the Libertarian Party of Cabarrus County. He is an at-large member of the LPNC executive committee. Thomas also serves as Region 8 (NC) Coordinator for the Campaign For Liberty. He spends the majority of his time “monkey-wrenching” the State, inside and outside of the political arena. Contact Mr. Hill at thomasbhill@msn.com.
