Friday, February 5, 2016

Anti-Social vs Anti-Political

Sir Thomas More: If we lived in a state where virtue was profitable, common sense would make us saintly. But since we see that abhorrence, anger, pride, and stupidity commonly profit far beyond charity, modesty, justice, and thought, perhaps we must stand fast a little - even at the risk of being heroes.
Margaret More: But in reason! Haven't you done as much as God could reasonably want?
Sir Thomas More: Well, finally, it isn't a matter of reason. Finally, it's a matter of love.
--A Man for All Seasons

Lew Rockwell observes that politics is an anti-social endeavor. It relies on mechanisms of force rather than on mechanisms of voluntary cooperation among individuals.

Free markets, on the other hand, are anti-political. They are grounded in peaceful production and exchange rather than on aggression or its threat.

Unhampered markets are expressions of social power as opposed to state power.

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