Tag: free society
The death penalty has no place in a civilized society
December 22, 2023 | Post
While the use of the death penalty by authoritarian regimes is not surprising, what can be said for its use in countries that claim to be free societies?
A tragic irony lies in the contradiction of a so-called free society embracing a barbaric practice that fundamentally defies the very essence of freedom — the state’s ability to make an irreversible decision on whether an individual should live or die.
Unmasking the true force behind the housing crisis
December 21, 2023 | Post
For the first time since the Great Depression, a majority of young adults in the U.S. aged 18-29 live with their parents.
The intensifying housing crisis across the United States and worldwide is a pressing concern, particularly for Millennials and Gen Z, who are often priced out of getting their own place for far longer than what has been the norm for previous generations.
Such a crisis inevitably prompts a blame game. But who or what is really to blame?
Despite regulatory barriers, 3D-printed houses can revolutionize the construction industry
December 20, 2023 | Post
What if we could revolutionize transportation to make it not only faster but also more sustainable? What if we could create educational systems that are not only more accessible but also tailored to individual learning needs?
Or, how about building new homes in a matter of days, at a fraction of the cost?
ICON Technologies is able to do just that — if not for regulatory barriers.
How occupational licensing oppresses the poor
December 19, 2023 | Post
Imagine having to pay and jump through hoops for the government to allow you to work. That’s essentially how occupational licensing works.
Occupational licensing is a system that disproportionately burdens and oppresses the economically disadvantaged, hindering social mobility.
Tuvalu could become the world’s first digital country as it sinks into the ocean
December 18, 2023 | Post
Climate refugees, like those from Tuvalu, warrant equal consideration alongside other displaced populations.
Moreover, proponents of liberty should unequivocally support Tuvaluans’ desire to live where they choose to: their beautiful Pacific island home.
It’s time for qualified immunity to go
December 15, 2023 | Post
How can qualified immunity continue to be a protective shield for officers who neglect their duties, especially in cases where lives are at stake?
Four civil asset forfeiture horror stories: how many more will it take to end it?
December 15, 2023 | Post
Imagine waking up one day to find your car or even your home is no longer yours. Law enforcement, armed with the authority of civil asset forfeiture, has seized it, suspecting connections to criminal activity.
Even though you are innocent, the burden of proof is on you, it’s near impossible to get your case in front of a judge, and it could be years before you get your property back.
Now, this may sound like the plot of a dystopian novel, but for countless individuals across the United States, it’s a terrifying reality.
The elite v. the people: Nigeria’s “cashless experiment”
December 14, 2023 | Post
A cashless society: the International Monetary Fund (IMF) calls it the future of money. The World Economic Forum (WEF) was enthusiastic about the concept way before it was cool. In the United States, the usual suspects such as the Brookings Institute and the New York Times ask our leaders to have the boldness and courage to follow this new path.
Meet the fearless middle schooler who dared to wear the Gadsden flag in class
December 13, 2023 | Post
In late August 2023, middle schooler, Jaiden Rodriguez, was removed from class over a Gadsden flag patch on his backpack.
This was in defiance of the First Amendment’s protection of free speech, which has long been deemed fully applicable to publicly funded schools by the U.S. Supreme Court.
But First Amendment rights did not mean this was the end of the story.
Dr. Tom G. Palmer on responsibility and freedom
December 12, 2023 | Post
Responsibility: For some the word conjures up images of old people lecturing young people about sitting up straight, doing their homework, and writing thank-you notes to elderly aunts.
Unsurprisingly, we’re expected to think it’s boring, tedious, a diversion from our enjoyment of our freedom. The goal of freedom, the images suggest, is to escape responsibilities.
In fact, embracing responsibility is neither boring, nor tedious, nor a diversion from freedom.
If you care about liberty, beware of CBDCs
December 11, 2023 | Post
In recent years, the concept of Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) has gained increasing traction across the globe, with proponents lauding the potential benefits of a digitized monetary system.
However, when we explore the real-life implications of CBDCs, it becomes increasingly clear that the rush toward digital currencies controlled by central banks poses a significant threat to individual liberty.
The Iranian dictatorship does not deserve to chair the Human Rights Council
December 11, 2023 | Post
A government that quashes open discourse and stifles diverse perspectives — as the Iranian dictatorship does — is completely ill-suited to lead discussions on social issues and human rights on the international stage.
What the world can learn from Argentina’s liberty movement
November 20, 2023 | Post
The liberty movement’s success in Argentina serves as an inspiration to similar movements worldwide. It showcases the power of grassroots organizing and the impact that passionate individuals can have when they come together around a common cause.
Ohio voted to legalize marijuana: here’s what you need to know
November 9, 2023 | Post
On November 7, 2023, voters in Ohio approved the Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol initiative, listed on the ballot as Issue 2. With almost 57 percent of voters in favor, Ohio thus becomes the 24th state to legalize recreational marijuana. Now, let’s take a look at what happens next and what exactly the legalization of marijuana in Ohio will look like?
Justin Amash: exposing America’s broken political system
November 8, 2023 | Post
A former U.S. Representative for Michigan’s 3rd congressional district, Justin Amash stood out for his commitment to upholding the Constitution and pro-liberty principles.
One of the most compelling aspects of Justin Amash’s political journey lies in his unapologetic exposure of the deeply flawed political system he witnessed firsthand.
This Halloween, let’s look back at 6 scary incidents created by the COVID lockdowns
October 31, 2023 | Post
This Halloween, let’s look back at some terrifying incidents from the recent past that should not be forgotten. For the best part of two years, beginning in March 2020, attempts to mitigate the COVID-19 pandemic involved governments around the world seizing new powers and further expanding the scope of the state.
Three pro-liberty perspectives on war
October 31, 2023 | Post
War, a tragic yet perennial facet of human history, has long been a subject of intense debate. Many philosophers and political thinkers have grappled with the ethical, moral, and strategic implications of war. Within this nuanced landscape, the perspectives of three influential thinkers offer a fascinating contrast…
Remembering Ibrahim Qashoush: a brutal story of musical resistance and regime violence
October 27, 2023 | Post
Although highly unknown beyond the Free Syria movement, an often-forgotten cause, Ibrahim Qashoush was a popular singer during the beginning of the Syrian Revolution. He soon became one of the countless victims of the Assad regime’s brutality. This is his story.
What explains the rise of antisemitism in American colleges?
October 26, 2023 | Post
In the past week, we have witnessed a wave of antisemitism and support for terrorism spreading in American universities. But why is this the case?
Grocery aisle garbage vs. free-market wellness: how food subsidies contribute to poor health
October 24, 2023 | Post
Time to peel back the oniony layers of the food industry according to free-market principles.
Our mission: to understand how market distortions such as food subsidies are contributing to poor health in America.
A martyr for free speech: Helmuth Hübener
October 17, 2023 | Post
Today, 62% of Americans have political views they are afraid to share. Despite the extensive legal protections for freedom of speech in America, I worry the attitude and spirit of freedom will decay despite legal guarantees. To remedy this, I believe it is important to learn about the example of Helmuth Hübener, a German teenager who defied the Nazi regime and became a martyr for freedom.
Why freedom matters more than safety
October 9, 2023 | Post
Safety is, of course, to be valued, but some important questions do arise, particularly in the context of our 21st-century challenges: Are we sacrificing too much freedom in the pursuit of safety? Is freedom more important than safety, and if so, why?
The case for Liberland
October 6, 2023 | Post
Along the Danube River in South-Central Europe lies a distinctive parcel of land between Croatia and Serbia. In 2015, Vit Jedlička and a few others proclaimed the territory as the Free Republic of Liberland. But can and should Liberland become an internationally-recognized, sovereign nation?
Branded as traitors: why activism in Bosnia and Herzegovina is not for the fainthearted
October 2, 2023 | Post
Right now, activists in Bosnia and Herzegovina, specifically within the region of Republika Srpska, are bracing themselves for an array of new challenges as the government plans to enact a law that will impose strict oversight and intense scrutiny of non-governmental organizations. Those receiving funding from abroad will be required to register as “foreign agents.”