Words mean something. In making our case for Liberty, there are certain
words and definitions which are critical to understand. They are what I call
the Words at the Foundation of Liberty. We must use them with precision. The
following definitions come from the founders of our nation as well as some of
greatest modern supporters of Liberty such as Muray Rothbard and Ludwig von
Mises.
Natural Rights
The doctrine of natural rights proclaims that all people
are born equal in rights and that this equality cannot be abrogated by any
man-made law, furthermore, these rights are inalienable, or more precisely,
imprescriptible.
The concept of natural rights, is the only theory of social justice that is not
dependent upon government coercion to establish and enforce. The following word
definitions are critical to understanding liberty and each other. Just as
importantly we must ensure we use these words precisely in our conversations
with others.
Imprescriptible
-- Not derived from, nor dependent on, external authority; self-evidencing;
obvious.
-- Not capable of being lost or impaired by neglect, by disuse, or by the
claims of another founded on prescription.
Inalienable
-- Not capable of being alienated, surrendered, or transferred.
Liberty
-- The right and power to act, believe, or express oneself in a manner of one's
own choosing. The expression of liberty may only be constrained where such
action would directly infringe upon another person's life, liberty, or
property.
Freedom
-- Immunity from the arbitrary exercise of state and government authority.
Individual Rights
-- The rights of individuals in society prior to government. Individual rights
are principles that identify and sanction certain interactions between
individuals in a civil society while excluding others.
Law
-- A rule or principle of proper conduct sanctioned by conscience or concepts
of natural justice; i.e., Reason
State
-- The supreme public power within a sovereign political entity.
Government
-- The organization and machinery by which a political unit exercises
continuous authority over and manages functions of the state.
Patriot/Patriotism
-- Resistance to oppressive state power. A patriot is motivated by a sense of
responsibility, out of self interest for themselves, their family, and their
future to resist government abuse of power. A patriot rejects the notion that
patriotism means obedience to the state.