05.06 – Individual Sovereignty – Part 2

How can you tell if slavery exists?

“If someone can impose demands and restrictions on your life, without your consent, that would make you their slave.”

As you can see, slavery continues in everyone’s life, primarily in the form of ruling government authority. Those in government continually impose restrictions and demands upon others, without their informed consent. This is clearly wrong, illegitimate, and immoral. To get to the true cause of the vast majority of societal problems in our world, it is necessary to ponder this issue deeply, and see the truth of it.

Forceful aggression of one person against another must never be tolerated, except in the case of self defense. Along with our inherent birthright of freedom from restraint and liberty to act, comes the requirement of full accountability and self-responsibility for all our actions. Behaving in this virtuous manner assures maximum freedom for everyone.

Every man and woman must be regarded as capable of carrying on life’s affairs for himself or herself. It is not your role to judge or impose on others, but simply to help if your assistance is sought. You should not impose yourself on anyone no matter how wise or unwise, or how good or bad such imposition is or would be. The most you can do is teach by word, and by example. The power of persuasion is the main tool in your toolkit. You must give to everyone the prerogative to lead their lives as they desire, so long as their pursuits do not harm or impinge upon the equal rights of others. This Golden Rule is the universal rule of moral conduct.

We must always respect everyone as supremely sovereign. Whatever people decide or do, however good or unproductive their decisions and actions, the role of non-interference is primary… as long as harm is not being done to another. Instead, seek to inspire, teach, and motivate.

Individual liberty, freedom, and sovereignty will be more comprehensively addressed in Course 10 of the NHEP.