LIBERTARIAN PATRIOTISM VS. STATIST PATRIOTISM

Jacob Hornberger

by Jacob G. Hornberger
Today, Memorial Day, we are exhorted to display our patriotism by supporting the troops. That’s the statist version of patriotism. It involves a deference to authority and a conformity of mindset that induces citizens to automatically support the troops regardless of what the troops are doing.

The libertarian version of patriotism is completely different. It depends on an independent mindset, one that questions and analyzes what the troops are doing. The conscience of the individual plays an important role here. If a person concludes that the troops are engaging in wrongdoing, genuine patriotism, libertarians hold, necessarily entails an opposition to the troops, not a support of them.

The libertarian version of patriotism is especially important insofar as being a Christian is concerned. The Christian life is devoting to pursuing and following the laws of God. Thus, when government engages in conduct that violates the laws of God, the Christian’s moral duty is clear: He must pursue and follow the laws of God.

More…

    
Plugin by: PHP Freelancer
This entry was posted in Editorial and tagged . Bookmark the permalink.