Brian Balfour writes this about ideas at FEE.org:
We should be working to impact public opinion by attacking the immorality and corruption of the institution of the state itself.
Here’s the lede and the opening of Balfour’s article:
The best hope to change public policy from its current expanse and direction is to change the climate of ideas.
“They only who build on ideas, build for an eternity”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson
Ideas are the most powerful engine of social change. To facilitate a rollback of the leviathan state, the creation of a bottom-up shift in the intellectual appreciation of a free society is required.
As former Congressman and presidential candidate Ron Paul noted:
“One thing my years in Washington taught me is that most politicians are followers, not leaders… Politicians will not support individual liberty and limited government unless and until they are forced to do so by the people.”
For an example of this, consider candidate Barack Obama’s opposition to gay marriage in 2008, which “evolved” into support by 2012—which just happened to be the same year opinion polls showed public support going into positive territory. Toward that end, our focus should not be on lobbying politicians or getting caught up with current officeholders who will change their opinions regularly. Instead, we should be working to impact public opinion by attacking the immorality and corruption of the institution of the state itself.
Just Say No to Partisan Politics
To be a more effective voice for liberty and free markets, advocates should advance these ideas without the divisive tribalism of partisan politics that serves to only harden people in their preconceived notions. Instead, the focus should be on promoting the uncompromising supremacy of individual rights, rather than merely arguing in favor of “your team.”
Read more: Foundation for Economic Education
Image credit: www.fee.org.
