It might indeed be said that the main difference between the order of society at which classical liberalism aimed and the sort of society into which it is now being transformed is that the former was governed by principles of just individual conduct while the new society is to satisfy the demands for ‘social justice’
– or, in other words, that the former demanded just action by the individuals while the latter more and more places the duty of justice on authorities with power to command people what to do.
-F.A. Hayek (The Mirage of Social Justice)
I really do wonder how many Americans really understand what Western Classical Liberalism really is and why it was chosen, as a forerunner, for establishing a nation? Where an ordered society was based on social norms that Individuals created and held in common outside of “the Law” versus being told what to do by the Government? The latter, in the form of Monarchies, was the norm back when these United States was formed – we were the rebellious nation!
However, with a suffocating Federal (and at times, States as well) Government, and MOB Justice (as opposed to Justice under the Law) taking over formerly Liberty oriented norms, are we returning to authoritarian norms by both Government and Socialist norms?
(H/T: Cafe Hayek)
