The liberty principle for this
Freedom Friday is that economic freedom for individuals is the key to creating freedom
for everyone. This is the reason why a free enterprise system is far superior
to any system of coercive collectivism. Individuals in a free market society
control their economic success by their willingness to work for it. The
individual is not important in socialism or communism and can be sacrificed for
the good of collective.
In his article titled “Why Economic Freedom Is Ethical, Effective Alternative to Coercive Collectivism,” Anthony B. Kim wrote, “societies with higher degrees of economic freedom thrive
because they capitalize more fully on the ability of individuals to innovate
and prosper.” Noting that Marxism-Leninism place no value on individuals
because “they exist to serve the state; the state does not exist to serve them.”
He then compared Marxist-Leninist ideology to a free market democracy.
Indeed, the discussion of freedom to
choose has at its core consideration of the relationship between the individual
and the state. As a vital component of human dignity, autonomy, and personal
empowerment, liberty is valuable as an end unto itself.
Just as important, however, is the fact
that freedom provides a proven formula for economic prosperity and societal
progress. It’s ultimately about moving societies forward for the benefit of a
greater number of people.
As documented in The Heritage Foundation’s
annual Index of Economic Freedom, societies with higher degrees of economic
freedom thrive because they capitalize more fully on the ability of individuals
to innovate and prosper.
Economies rated “free” or “mostly free”
enjoy incomes that are more than twice the average levels in all other
countries and more than five times higher than the per capita gross domestic
product of “repressed” economies.
The pursuit of, and commitment to, free
market policies clearly pave a proven way to more vibrant growth and greater
prosperity.
In fact, history tells us that the human
spirit thrives on fairness, opportunity, transparency, and liberty.
Kim continues his article by
reminding his readers of “the collapse of the Soviet Union three decades ago.”
He recognized that the “false and outmoded ideologies” could have “emotional
and political appear for some,” but the results of such government policy are “poverty,
deprivation, and oppression.” He concluded his article with this quote from
Austrian-British economist and philosopher Friedrich von Hayek:
To build a better world, we must have the
courage to make a new start. We must clear away the obstacles with which human
folly has recently encumbered our path and release the creative energy of
individuals.
We must create conditions favourable to
progress rather than “planning progress.” … The guiding principle in any
attempt to create a world of free men must be this: A policy of freedom for the
individual is the only truly progressive policy.
Our government has adopted numerous
socialistic practices over the years, and there are many voices in our nation
calling for us to adopt more of them. Such decisions are made by the politicians
we elect. This is one reason why Americans should look past the promises being
made to the results they will bring. We should remember that the government
cannot give anything to one group without taking it from another. We should
also remember that people work to earn the rewards and will cease working if
the rewards go to other people.
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