Free Will in a World of Coercion—Voluntaryism

The Consistent Application of Non-Aggression

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“This must be regulated differently!” “That should be forbidden!” “There must be some government intervention!” Quite a few of the people around us know exactly how everyone else has to live their lives. Ultimately, “There should be a law!” always means “Those who are not following my ideas must be killed!” We are living in a world where the clamor for control reverberates through the corridors of power; a quiet yet profound philosophy whispers its truth into the hearts of those willing to listen. Voluntaryism, often overshadowed by louder ideologies, beckons us to consider a world where the human spirit is not shackled by coercion but is liberated through the power of choice. Imagine a society where every interaction, every transaction, and every relationship is born out of mutual consent. It’s a radical departure from the norms of governance and societal organization—a revolution in mind and spirit that invites us to rethink the very foundations of civilization.

The Philosophy of Consent

At its core, voluntaryism is the belief that all human interactions should be voluntary and consensual. It’s a philosophy that rejects the initiation of force or coercion, advocating instead for a society where individuals engage with one another through mutual agreement. Unlike traditional political systems that rely on the enforcement of laws through state power, voluntaryism envisions a world where the state’s role is minimized, and individuals are free to pursue their own paths as long as they do not infringe on the rights of others.

Voluntaryism is not anarchism in the chaotic sense that the term is often used. Rather, it is a form of anarchism that embraces order through the principle of non-aggression. It posits that a society can flourish when individuals are free to associate, cooperate, and transact without the heavy hand of government interference.

Loving your Neighbor

Your consent can only have weight if your life has value. Christianity is one of the first historical instances of a belief system establishing exactly that—every human life, made in the image of God, is valuable. Jesus Christ’s teachings center around acting voluntarily, loving your neighbor, and rejecting violence. More than a millennium later, John Locke developed his philosophy of natural rights and argued for the inherent rights of every individual to life, liberty, and property. In the ensuing centuries, anarchist thinkers like Lysander Spooner contested the legitimacy of the state because of its use of force.

The formalization of voluntaryism as a distinct philosophy emerged in the 19th century, with its originator Auberon Herbert, who, as a member of the United Kingdom’s parliament, articulated the concept of voluntary taxation and the rejection of compulsory government. Herbert’s writings laid the groundwork for modern voluntaryism, emphasizing that the state should not impose its will on individuals, who own themselves, but rather serve as a voluntary association, providing services only to those who choose to participate. In his vision of voluntaryism, “the state employs force only to repel force—to protect the person and the property of the individual against force and fraud; under voluntaryism the state would defend the rights of liberty, never aggress upon them.”

Applying Morals Consistently

When your next discussion with somebody arguing for some laws and regulations arises, ask them if an individual is, in their opinion, allowed to aggress against an innocent fellow. Can an individual, for instance, break into a home and take all the valuables if they, in return, clean the whole house? Then, ask them if that changes when the aggressor is not an individual but a group of individuals calling themselves government. Murray Rothbard summarizes this point: “Libertarians make no exceptions to the golden rule and provide no moral loophole, no double standard, for government. That is, libertarians believe that murder is murder … that theft is theft and … that enslavement is enslavement.”

Voluntaryism challenges the notion that the state has the right to initiate force against its citizens, instead promoting a society where human action is based on mutual respect and consent. By advocating for voluntary interactions, it upholds the principle that individuals are the best judges of their own lives and should have the freedom to make choices that reflect their subjective values and desires. In a voluntaryist society, conflicts are resolved through negotiation and cooperation rather than through the imposition of will. In the absence of a state, fundamental rights, such as property rights, are protected through private defense agencies or community-based enforcement. This creates a harmonious social order based on individuals following their own interests and associating voluntarily.

Giving Voluntarily

We apply the principles of voluntary action in our approach to our relationships, our business dealings, and our interactions with the broader community. In personal relationships, voluntaryism encourages us to respect the autonomy of others, fostering connections based on mutual understanding and consent. By applying these morals to our lives, we don’t only act ethically but, in addition, profit in the long term: Love, friendship, and trust are strongest when they are freely given and not demanded. Thus, we never force our neighbors to anything. Instead, we lead by example and invite them to participate.

Voluntaryism further prompts us, in the marketplace, to consider the ethical implications of our consumer choices by promoting ethical business practices, where transactions are transparent, and all involved individuals benefit from the exchange. Additionally, voluntaryism encourages us, in our social engagement, to seek out and support alternatives to coercive systems. Whether it’s choosing to support voluntary charities over government welfare programs or participating in community-driven initiatives, the principles of voluntaryism can guide us toward a more just and compassionate society. After all, we are not narcissists that don’t want to give, we are generous donors that want to give without coercion to the causes we support.

A World Built on Consent

Voluntaryism is, as the name implies, a system where every action is voluntary and force is only permitted in defense. It is the straightforward idea of not giving government the right to coerce our neighbors; a right that we wouldn’t give to our fellows either. In a world where the allure of power often leads to coercion and control, voluntaryism offers a vision of a society built on consent, cooperation, and individual liberty—a vision of a future where the bonds between individuals are strengthened by choice rather than force, and where the true potential of humanity can be realized in a society built on the foundation of voluntary interactions. Where are you supporting voluntarily?

Think for yourself and question everything, my fellow liberty people!