Today's post consists of a 5-part video series on the origin of rights, and the proper role of government. And I've gotta tell ya, this production by STOPandLOOK is outstanding!
Today, the simple idea of freedom vs. State power has been confused and altered in too many ways. Do a quick search on the net, and you'll find countless "political quizzes," all attempting to place you somewhere on a scale consisting of both horizontal and vertical lines. Do another search looking for political definitions, and you'll find a countless number of people, all with different definitions of the same terminology.
This video series simplifies it all, by explaining everything in an easy, understandable way.
Whether you consider yourself conservative, liberal, Republican, Democrat, Libertarian, right-wing, left-wing ... do yourself a favor, and take the time to watch the whole series.
You'll be glad you did!
Part One: The Origin and Nature of Human Rights
The political labels we use today cause more confusion than help. The vast majority of people, regardless of their political views, are certainly well-intentioned. Everyone wants the best life possible for all!
What it all boils down to, however, is not the merits of a particular action or inaction, but instead, the ethical code that justifies or forbids said action.
After an introduction to the series, the question "where do rights come from?" gets explored.
Part Two: Group Supremacy
Some people have the belief that a group is an entity in itself, and thus has rights of its own. The individualist, however, believes that there is no such thing as a group, and that a group is nothing more than an abstraction. Only individuals exist.
Can a group have rights? Is individualism based on ego?
These questions and more are explained, as the belief that a group can be more important than an individual, is explored.
Part Three: Responsibility and Freedom of Choice
Rights and responsibilities go hand in hand. If individuals have rights, then individuals must also have responsibilities. The same then, must apply to groups. So if a group has rights, then the group must also have responsibilities.
Does the freedom of individual choice bring about the best ehtics and solutions for humankind? Or will relying on individuals ultimately doom the "important issues" to failure?
Part Four: Equality and Inequality under Law
The individualist believes no two people are exactly alike, and that each individual is superior and inferior to each other in a variety of ways. So because we're all different, under the law, everyone must be treated exactly the same.
Others believe the world to be tragically imperfect. They see poverty, suffering, and injustice, and therefore conclude that something must be done to alter the forces bringing about such undesirable effects.
Viewing themselves as "social engineers," they determine that people should be treated unequally under the law, and set about interfering in the affairs of individuals, redirecting their activities, and using the power of government to restructure society into a more humane order.
Part 5: Proper Role of Government
What is the proper role of government?
Some believe the proper role of government is positive. That it should be aggressive, lead, provide, and act as the organizer of society.
Others believe that the proper role of government is negative. It is not to provide, but only to protect the lives, liberty and property of every individual.
In this final video, an excellent job is done simplifying and explaining (properly) the political spectrum as a straight-line ... ultimately forming a circle. Believe it or not, this is the political spectrum I learned waaaay back in the 10th grade.
Yes, in a public school!
But of course, that was when they still taught history and government as it is ... without any particular point of view.
I hope you got a lot out of watching this series. Please use the comments below to let me know what you think!
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