(Z) NATION

Individual liberty, or the finite degree to which we human beings are empowered to effect our own lives, is just that; a finite commodity.  From the day we are born till the day we die, we as individuals can never enjoy anymore liberty than what we are born with; our birthright as it were.  Let’s just assign this limited absolute the mathematical value X. 

However, we can end up with less; done so by giving up one’s own liberties, one’s ability to self-determination.  Now you have to ask yourself: Why would any rational intelligent being give up the precious and limited liberties they’re born with?  I mean, other than being duped into relinquishing them out of ignorance or by force that is? 

I can’t answer this for everyone, but as for me, the only reason I would give up any of my precious liberties is if I receive something of benefit in return.  Such as when we acquiesce to some form of essential governance.  You know, like when we agree to form and pay for a police force to help maintain our civil society.  But even then, I can only concede to the degree or limit that leaves to me sufficient liberty with which to enjoy my life.  After all, since I know that my liberties are finite and I have a limited life-span in which to enjoy them, why would I give or trade away that which essentially makes life worth living in the first place?  So let’s just assign this variable the value Y. 

This leaves us with what form of governance we end up living under.  The resulting body-politic or nation generally falls into one of the following three categories; which we will assign the value Z. 

Z =

• When a group of peoples don’t wish to live under any governance (legislation) whatsoever, or just can’t agree to a particular form of government (Y = 0), then the end result is anarchy; which can be somewhat harsh. 

• When a group of peoples seek a limited form of government (i.e. Constitutional Republic), then depending on the balance (X > Y), its society may provide for both sufficient liberty and essential government.

• When a group of peoples, either out of ignorance or apathy, permit government to legislate away liberties without bounds, if not entirely (Y = X), then it is tyranny; which is absolutely harsh. 

In summation, or should I say deduction, under any form of governance there will be legislation and since it costs liberty to legislate, then the bigger the government (more legislation) the less liberty you enjoy.  Or to put it more succinctly:

(X) LIBERTY – (Y) LEGISLATION = (Z) NATION

Brian Kilcullen

Enemies in War,