Libertarianism as a philosophical perspective supports liberty over equality. Such is the case since libertarians believe that human equality is only possible in conditions that enable the practice of liberty. In the context of the relationship between the government and its people, libertarians posit that minimal power should be given to the government so that it may not intervene in its peoples personal affairs. John Locke, the proponent of libertarianism, argues that the governments role merely lies in ensuring the maintenance of the conditions posited in the social contract which was brought forth as a result of the peoples desire to ensure the protection of both their tangible and intangible properties (i.e. right to freedom, right to their land, etc.). Locke maintained that liberty exists as a natural right which is only recognized when individuals live in a condition that allows the arbitrary influence from other individuals. The government in this sense merely stands as the institution which ensures the peoples practice of their liberty.
Libertarianisms emphasis on the governments minimal control of its peoples affairs was utilized by the American Revolutionaries in their plight for independence from the British government. Although this view was also shared by those who opposed the Revolution, such as Jonathan Boucher, the main distinction between the Patriots and the Tories lies in the latters negative view of revolutionary acts. It is important to note that the Lockean version of libertarianism recognizes the possibility of the governments abuse of its power. During such instances, Locke argued that it is necessary for the people to revolt against its government. As opposed to this, the Tories such as Boucher argued that a revolution would only bring forth chaos in society (Youngman, 2003, p.91). He states, It matters not that in our individual capacities we are wise, temperate, and just Collected together in a mob, we inevitably become irrational, violent, and tyrannical (Boucher, 1925, as cited in Youngman, 2003, p.91). Bouchers opposition to the revolution, in this sense, springs from his view that despite the rational character of human beings, individual are also easily swayed by rhetorical claims that target their emotions.
Within this context, one may note that both the Patriots and the Tories recognized the necessity of curtailing the governments authority in order to ensure the practice of individual liberty. The difference of their views however merely lies in the formers adherence to the role of a revolution in ensuring a peoples liberty as opposed to the latters negative view of revolutions based on their assumption that such acts merely lead to the temporary effacement of an individuals rationality. The philosophical basis of the Tories argument, in line with Bouchers views, may thereby be attributed to their conservative libertarianism.
Libertarianisms emphasis on the governments minimal control of its peoples affairs was utilized by the American Revolutionaries in their plight for independence from the British government. Although this view was also shared by those who opposed the Revolution, such as Jonathan Boucher, the main distinction between the Patriots and the Tories lies in the latters negative view of revolutionary acts. It is important to note that the Lockean version of libertarianism recognizes the possibility of the governments abuse of its power. During such instances, Locke argued that it is necessary for the people to revolt against its government. As opposed to this, the Tories such as Boucher argued that a revolution would only bring forth chaos in society (Youngman, 2003, p.91). He states, It matters not that in our individual capacities we are wise, temperate, and just Collected together in a mob, we inevitably become irrational, violent, and tyrannical (Boucher, 1925, as cited in Youngman, 2003, p.91). Bouchers opposition to the revolution, in this sense, springs from his view that despite the rational character of human beings, individual are also easily swayed by rhetorical claims that target their emotions.
Within this context, one may note that both the Patriots and the Tories recognized the necessity of curtailing the governments authority in order to ensure the practice of individual liberty. The difference of their views however merely lies in the formers adherence to the role of a revolution in ensuring a peoples liberty as opposed to the latters negative view of revolutions based on their assumption that such acts merely lead to the temporary effacement of an individuals rationality. The philosophical basis of the Tories argument, in line with Bouchers views, may thereby be attributed to their conservative libertarianism.
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