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:
3 comments:
Many thanks for the kind comments on my "Love of Power vs Power of Love" article! I hope it wins us some converts.
Lawrence W. Reed
President
Mackinac Center for Public Policy
www.mackinac.org
Great article.
Some, though, would posit that many/most people are "like children in many ways" in the course of arguing in favor of coercive intervention.
I agree with the article. Though it seems obvious to me. Sad that someone has to write about it...
It was what we were taught at home, school, and church in the day. It was even reinforced on TV in the day.
My grandmother would say "Your rights end where my nose begins!" Enough said. You rock Noni! In memory of Noni...
Also obvious is that the modern day version of "force" is federal taxes imposed by the "majority"... right?
Q
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