Notable Quote - Chris Coyne - Granite Grok

Notable Quote – Chris Coyne

The notion of the “art of association” can be traced back to Tocqueville, who noted America’s robust civil society that consists of an array of social associations and networks.  These associations and networks were not the result of government design or legislation, but instead evolved through the ingenuity of self-reliant citizens acting entrepreneurially.  Associations stand between the government and the market.  They allow people to come together and solve common problems without relying on government.  In doing so, they serve as a check on government power because private individuals do not become overly reliant on government to solve the problems they face.  The emergence of a robust civil society is only possible when people’s right to free association is established and protected.  Where this right exists, people can invest in establishing social associations and networks, which can potentially play a crucial role in the wake of crises.

– Chris Coyne (“Constitutions and crisis”)

The proprietor of Cafe Hayek, Prof Don Boudreaux adds this truism:

Society is not government.  And while reasonable people can and do disagree over the degree to which government is necessary to a thriving society, indisputably false is the notion that society is created by government and is sustained only by the detailed directions – or, more accurately, detailed diktats – of government.

Yet, our Progressive Totalitarian “leaders” would have us believe otherwise.  For over a hundred years, they have moved to have the formerly limited Federal Government encroach, envelope, and absorb what used to be a highly robust, effective, and large buffer zone called Civil Society by using its increased size and financial capability and have crowded out many of the charities that used to exist.  It also has compromised many others by waving our tax dollars in front of them to the point where many have become mere auxiliaries of Government and sucking off all levels of Government.

Which means there is an enfeebled (compared to de Tocquville’s recounting of American Civil Society) and compromised Civil Society – there is little buffer left between Govt and individuals.  Just like Progressives want (“Everything in the State”)

(H/T: Cafe Hayek)

>