Monday, February 22, 2010

Liberty in Context

In response to let a thousand nations bloom (Mike Gibson). 2/21/10 2/22/10

The right to leave ones state and nation is among the most primary rights. However, this does not relieve the need or power to form community. The forces for Liberalism( in its truest and classical form) are facing many challenges from its homeland (America) and across the globe. Community is of the utmost importance to repel those forces.

I've enjoyed immensely the input and ideas, especially the power of opting out, posted on "Let a Thousand Nations Bloom" over the the past number of months. I've taken the title of the blog quiet literally and believe it means nations. The idea that a nation can survive solely on contracts, as elegant a solution as contracts are, is lacking in several respects, the two main being fecundity and martial capability. These are two necessary aspects of continued existence for a nation that secular ideologues don't like to address, but are of the utmost importance for the continued existence of a nation. It would take immense technological improvements for this not to hold.

Two important aspects to morality: the non-initiation of force and the creation of lasting value are important to this debate. What is the point of creating something of lasting value if their are no inheritors? The icky necessity of reproduction is not something secularist, those who often imitate a non-chaste neo-Shaker revival, and have not spent a lot of time commenting on how to continue the nation.

Second, an emotional and economic commitment would require some martial expertise. Would no one repel a pirate attack, would everyone run at the first sign of danger? Perhaps I've misunderstood, but I've come away with the impression we can just run away from any threat of violence. A force capable of repelling the Tongan Navy is a minimum. With some growth and success a deterrence capability approaching a nuclear attack submarine may be required.

Common Ideals are necessary for that kind of commitment. While freedom of expression and speech are paramount to a free nation, a country being tugged by Libertarians on 0ne hand and people with ideals similar to leftist policies of the fascist and communist on the other, is going to have serious problems.

The Report on DPRK via Seth’s blog, was fascinating, because it showed the DPRK accomplished enforcing non-exit while not being able to physically enforce those laws. The Liberal states of the 19th century were able to combine great personal autonomy with nationalism and lots of opportunities for exit. I do not believe that these virtues are mutualy exclusive and may be necessary for enduring success.

I can watch the world fall apart from my front porch in Texas with a six dollar mocha in one hand and a fiddle in the other. I don't have to travel the Seven Seas to witness decadence. A nation will require immense commitment otherwise you just have a Gated Gulch.

Thursday, February 18, 2010

New Post

Evolving just a little more quickly today.