Liberty and Tyranny
“The Modern Liberal believes in the supremacy of the state, thereby rejecting the principles of the Declaration and the order of the civil society, in whole or part. For the Modern Liberal, the individual’s imperfection and personal pursuits impede the objective of a utopian state. In this, Modern Liberalism promotes what French historian Alexis de Tocqueville described as a soft tyranny, which becomes increasingly more oppressive, potentially leading to a hard tyranny (some form of totalitarianism). As the word ‘liberal’ is, in its classical meaning, the opposite of authoritarian, it is more accurate, therefore, to characterize the Modern Liberal as a Statist. … The Statist … knows that despite his successful usurpations, enough citizens are still skeptical and even distrustful of politicians and government that he cannot force his will all at once. Thus he marches in incremental steps, adjusting his pace as circumstances dictate. Today his pace is more rapid, for resistance has slowed. … The Conservative does not despise government. He despises tyranny. This is precisely why the Conservative reveres the Constitution and insists on adherence to it. An ‘effective’ government that operates outside its constitutional limitations is a dangerous government. … The Conservative is alarmed by the ascent of a soft tyranny…. He knows that liberty once lost is rarely recovered. He knows of the decline and eventual failure of past republics. And he knows that the best prescription for addressing society’s real and perceived ailments is not to further empower an already enormous federal government beyond its constitutional limits, but to return to the founding principles. A free people living in a civil society, working in self-interested cooperation, and a government operating within the limits of its authority promote more prosperity, opportunity, and happiness for more people than any alternative. Conservatism is the antidote to tyranny precisely because its principles are the founding principles.”
–author and radio talk-show host Mark Levin in his book “Liberty and Tyranny”
Posted on March 30, 2009, in Uncategorized. Bookmark the permalink. 7 Comments.
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The disconnect between what conservativism claims to be and what it becomes in practice is nothing short of staggering. Say what you want about liberalism, it is what it is.
For instance, how can you possibly reconcile that talk of liberty while simultaneously being strongly for stuff like banning drugs, censoring television, etc. It’s just TALK.
Liberty is freedom exercised with responsibility. I’ll be addressing that concept in far more depth sooner or later. Liberty is not the freedom to do whatever you want, but the freedom to do what you ought. It recognizes that which is harmful to society and places limits on it (selling heroin from roadside stands would be very harmful to the fabric of society)and exposing children to graphic sex on television is irresponsible. A civilized society does have to put some responsible limits on behavior otherwise you don’t have a society you only have chaos, anarchy and a collapsed society. I would humbly suggest you read some Edmund Burke. He is indeed the father of modern conservatism and the balance he lays out between order and freedom is extraordinary. Conservatives stand for principle and we strive for what is right. We do not yearn for more government, more rules and regulations, more banning of “politically incorrect” speech, more ideological intimidation by the nanny state and all the rest. It is liberalism which has embraced mobocracy and the fickle tyranny that represents.
We do not yearn for more government,
more rules and regulations,
more banning of “politically incorrect” speech,
more ideological intimidation by the nanny state
and all the rest.
Like I said, in practice, a lot of it is not what it makes itself out to be. Or perhaps I should say that it does not put emphasis on the ideals that are actually noble.
Good post, and I look forward to reading your additional thoughts, Dave.
A couple of my friends met Mark at the book signing at the Barnes & Noble here in Tysons Corner, VA. It was an impressive turnout. My friends got there early, and started at the spot around 1:17 into this video.
Back to the subject, Rush had a very good monologue on “individualism” today, which he’s going to post on his website as a freebie; probably be available tomorrow.
“What is the smallest minority?” he pondered.
A: The individual.
The post I mentioned is here, and it’s absolutely true.
Oh, and Levin was on Hannity tonight, but he was also on last week. Here are parts one and two of the interview, if you missed it.