Larry Reed, president of the Mackinac Center for Public Policy in Midland, MI had a fantastic op-ed published in the Christian Science Monitor entitled "The Love of Power vs. The Power of Love". It is a wonderful introduction to the freedom philosophy and the principles supported on this blog.
This quote from the article articulates the meaning of free-exchange vs. coercion and control especially well:
“When real love is the motivator, people deal with each other peacefully. We use force only in self-defense. We respect one another's rights and differences. Tolerance and cooperation govern our interactions.
“Suppose we want to influence or change the behavior of another adult, or want to give him something we think he should have. This person has done us no harm and is in full command of his faculties. Love requires that we reason with him, entice him with an attractive offer, or otherwise engage him on a totally voluntary basis. He is free to accept or reject our overtures. If we don't get our way, we don't hire somebody to use force against him. ‘Live and let live,’ as Americans used to say with more frequency than they do today.”
Follow the link below to read the whole article:
This quote from the article articulates the meaning of free-exchange vs. coercion and control especially well:
“When real love is the motivator, people deal with each other peacefully. We use force only in self-defense. We respect one another's rights and differences. Tolerance and cooperation govern our interactions.
“Suppose we want to influence or change the behavior of another adult, or want to give him something we think he should have. This person has done us no harm and is in full command of his faculties. Love requires that we reason with him, entice him with an attractive offer, or otherwise engage him on a totally voluntary basis. He is free to accept or reject our overtures. If we don't get our way, we don't hire somebody to use force against him. ‘Live and let live,’ as Americans used to say with more frequency than they do today.”
Follow the link below to read the whole article:
