A Manifesto on Government

The essence and purpose of government is the authoritative forcing of one or more person’s will upon other persons. Experience has shown that when government strays from that essence and purpose it often does so inefficiently, awkwardly, wastefully, and foolishly. Other institutions have proven to be more efficient and skilled than government in nearly every way. Accordingly, the challenge for society is to determine where and when it is appropriate and necessary for government to become involved in human affairs. There exists a constant tension between individual liberty and government power.

Government can be strong or weak, laissez-faire or totalitarian, despotic or free. What sets government apart from all other institutions is its authoritative and coercive ability to get what it demands.  Criminals have a coercive ability to get what they want, but the fact that they are "criminals" indicates that they have no "authority" to do what they are doing. Social clubs have the "authority" to charge their members dues and impose rules, but the only true coercion that a social club may apply is to deny membership to the member who refuses to submit. In sum, the unique essence of government is the extent of its coercive authority.

Because there is a tension between individual liberty and government power, there exists an individual responsibility to stop the over-extension of government power and to keep it in check. Likewise, the government’s essential responsibility is to enforce its rules over the individual.

When government is acting appropriately, it is the individual’s responsibility to support it. What is and what is not "appropriate" are the questions that distinguish political thought.

When a government is acting inappropriately, it is appropriate for other governments to assist the individuals who are struggling to stop the over-extension of government power and to keep it in check.