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How Government Power Threatens Freedom

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Published: March 3, 2020

We have forgotten the basic truths that the founders of this country knew so well: the greatest threat to human freedom is the concentration of power, whether in the government or anyone else. Preserving the freedoms that we have will require a more widespread understanding of the danger of overgoverned societies. 

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the possible consequences of living in an overgoverned society?
  2. Can the concentration of power by groups other than the government threaten freedoms in society?

Additional resources:

  • Watch “How to Stay Free” with Milton Friedman, available here.
  • Read “The Perils of Executive Power” by Richard Epstein, available here.
  • Read “Isaiah Berlin’s Many-Sided Concept of Liberty” by Peter Berkowitz, available here.
View Transcript

Throughout the Western world, more and more of us are coming to recognize the dangers of an over-governed society.

But it will take more than a recognition of danger.

We have forgotten the basic truths that the founders of this country knew so well: that the greatest threat to human freedom is the concentration of power whether in the hands of government or anyone else.

It will take the courage to act on that understanding if we are not only to preserve the freedoms that we have, but to realize the full potential of a truly free society.

It will take an understanding of what freedom is, of where the dangers to freedom come from.