2. Authoritarian goal:
concentrate power
Liberal goal:
distribute power
A way to look at our current political landscape
by
political
means
by
private
means
Use private means to
concentrate power
among a few
Use political means to
concentrate power
among a few
Use private means
to distribute power
among many
Use political means
to distribute power
among many
3. The“left”liberal framing
Authoritarian goal:
concentrate power
Liberal goal:
distribute power
by
political
means
by
private
means
Use private means to
concentrate power
among a few
(a.k.a. ”the ultra-rich”)
Use political means
to distribute power
among many
4. The“right”libertarian framing
Authoritarian goal:
concentrate power
Liberal goal:
distribute power
by
political
means
by
private
means
Use political means to
concentrate power
among a few
(a.k.a. ”the liberal elite”)
Use private means
to distribute power
among many
5. Fatal mistake 1
We think that choice of means
automatically determines ends.
That is false. Means are just means –
they can be used for or against liberty.
“Why”matters far more than How”.
It is crucial to make alliances with
people who pursue the same goal.
6. Fatal mistake 2
We think some forms of power
concentration are safer or more
benevolent than others.
That is false. Power is power, regardless
of the form it takes.
Any overwhelming concentration of
power, whether political or private, is
a threat to liberty and democracy.
7. Fatal mistake 3
We think conflict is a sign of things
going wrong.
That is false. Conflict is a sign of things
going right. The worst evil is not
conflict, but rather pseudo-conciliatory
suppression of conflict.
True pluralism entails embracing
permanent peaceful struggle.
8. The fake battle-line: left vs. right
Authoritarian goal:
concentrate power
Liberal goal:
distribute power
by
political
means
by
private
means
Political means
are necessary
to combat the
automatic bad
consequences of
private power
Private means
are necessary
to combat the
automatic bad
consequences of
political power
9. The real battle-line: liberal vs. authoritarian
Authoritarian goal:
concentrate power
Liberal goal:
distribute power
by
political
means
by
private
means
Use political and
private means together
to distribute power
among many
Use political and
private means together
to concentrate power
among a few
10. Summary
If we want liberty we must focus on
our end-goal: to maximize liberty for
the maximum number of people.
This goal is far more important than
how we acheive it. We gain nothing by
tying our left or right hand behind our
back. We need both hands free.
The Ambidextrous Liberal is
committed to the messy pursuit of
liberty by all effective means.
