Cost of Freedom

And when you've taken down your guard
If I could change your mind
I'd really love to break your heart
--Tears for Fears

It is often said that freedom is not free. If this is true, then where do the costs come from? Liberty is the inalienable right to pursue one's interests as long as that pursuit does not aggress upon the pursuits of others.

For example, I cannot rightfully advance my interests by holding a gun to your head and taking your wallet. I also cannot rightfully retain a government agent to hold a gun to your head to take resources from you for my benefit.

Unfortunately, many people do act with aggression in order to advance their interests. And this is where the cost of freedom comes from.

Remaining free requires some quantity of resources to protect one's interests against aggression. I can think of two categories of costs related to protecting one's freedom. Some costs pertain to building capacity for defense in the event of aggression. Individuals might allocate resources for self-defense training or weaponry, for example. People might outsource some or all of their self-defense capacity by hiring agents for protection.

The other category is monitoring costs. These are costs of scanning the environment for situations that suggest a possible threat. People might install security systems in their homes to warn of possible break-ins. People might hire agents or form neighborhood watch programs to monitor suspicious activity in their locale.

Because many people find it attractive to use the strong arm of government to aggressively intervene in the pursuit of others, the activities of government must also be monitored. The more expansive and remote the government, the more resources must be diverted to keeping an eye on what government is doing.

One reason why many opposed the central government design expressed in the Constitution was it would be more difficult to keep tabs of nefarious government activity when it was being performed so far away.

Quotes from two Anti-Federalists are worth noting in this context:

"Were the people always attentive, they could call unfaithful lawmakers home and send others. But they are not always attentive." (A Maryland Farmer)

"Virtue will slumber. The wicked will be continuously watching. Consequently, you will be undone."

The cost of freedom is the cost of defending against aggression. The opportunity cost is that other pursuits must be compromised in the name of defense.