Re-examining the Zero Agression Principle - Updated AGAIN


I may be rewriting part of a FAQ
In my Pagan•Vigil FAQ, I wrote this:

If there is a single rule that American libertarians follow, it is "Thou shalt not initiate force." Both conservatives and modern liberals see force as an option if it is for the "greater good."

I'm not sure I can honestly agree with that anymore.

I'm thinking of rewriting it to this:

Many American libertarians follow the Zero Aggression Principle. "No human has the right, under any circumstances, to initiate force against another." There are some libertarians who insist that the ZAP is the sole defining characteristic of libertarians.

I used to sum the ZAP up as "Thou shalt not initiate force."

But even L. Neil Smith admits that not all libertarians follow the ZAP. "Many libertarians just see it as the only practical way killer apes can get along."

Both conservatives and modern liberals see force as an option if it is for the "greater good."

But there are exceptions to every rule. Exceptions that you can only invoke at your own peril and at the risk of undoing everything that you believe is right and just.

I'm no longer willing to rule out force as an option in all circumstances. But I'm still smart enough to accept that initiating force could (and probably will) invite total catastrophe.

The Zero Aggression Principle works when everyone is willing to play the civilization game. But it's not universal. And that is the issue.

Both conservatives and modern liberals see will use force as an option if it is for the "greater good." One problem is deciding just who controls that force, especially when and how it's applied. But the bigger problem is picking the people who decide that "greater good."

Most American libertarians follow the Zero Aggression Principle. "No human has the right, under any circumstances, to initiate force against another." Many libertarians insist that the ZAP is the sole defining characteristic of libertarians.

I used to sum the ZAP up as "Thou shalt not initiate force." It was practically the only dogma I allowed myself.

Even L. Neil Smith admits that not all libertarians follow the ZAP. "Many libertarians just see it as the only practical way killer apes can get along."

Prior to the 1960s, I can't find evidence that the Zero Aggression Principle was THE defining characteristic of a libertarian. Yes it was mentioned, but always deriving from other principles. I'm still amazed that I missed that until I started looking closer. Considering some of the other things that were happening in American culture and in the liberty movement, it does make sense in context. If the ZAP wasn't THE defining trait of libertarians in the 1950s, or of (classical) liberals in the 1900s, then obviously the ZAP isn't as central to freedom and liberty as some libertarians say.

But there are exceptions to every rule. Exceptions that you can only invoke at your own peril and at the risk of undoing everything that you believe is right and just. There are times when playing by the rules just invites your own destruction. There are times when certain people game the system, just so no one can honorably oppose their moves.

The Zero Aggression Principle only works as a guideline, not as an absolute.

Depending on circumstances, I'm no longer willing to rule out initiating force. But I'm still smart enough to accept that initiating force could (and probably will) invite total catastrophe.

With apologies to movie purists, "be nice until it's time not to be nice." Tit-for-tat. That's a choice that can only be made by an individual. That's a choice that will always have drastic consequences. Sometimes that's the choice that will preserve support liberty and freedom.

Ultimately, that's the goal, not non-aggression.

The Zero Aggression Principle works when everyone is willing to play the civilization game. But it's not universal. And that is the issue.

Do you have any thoughts or comments?

— NeoWayland

Posted: Mon - March 2, 2009 at 03:01 PM  Tag


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