As a ganja enthusiast, I was saddened to hear of the failure of California's Proposition 19, which sought to make recreational ganja legal. Yet, I have never ever believed that this approach - "democratic politics" - is the right way to achieve Liberty. As per this news report, one man, Richard Lee, an Oakland medical marijuana entrepreneur, single-handedly bankrolled the failed campaign, spending $3.4 million. What a colossal waste. And what a tragic diversion of a businessman's efforts, when he has to engage in this "politics" instead of simply "minding his own business." Peter Bauer has often written that this always happens when State controls lead to the "politicisation of economic life."
Some months ago, I saw a film based in California - Milk, starring Sean Penn - in which the protagonist enters democratic politics to fight for gay rights. What a great and horrible struggle it was. Because the electricity failed I missed the ending where I think the man gets killed; but the film teaches important lessons about the ugliness of democratic politics - and this, at the local, city level.
To me, there is only one solution - and that is the Inviolability of Property. Drugs, sexual preferences, prostitution, gambling, pornography - all these and more become instantly freed if all attention is focused on the constitutional establishment of this Principle.
If Proposition 19 failed with regard to ganja, enormous efforts will be required to legalise cocaine, of which America is a very big market. And what is the point in asking other people for their concurrence about a substance you use to get high? The list of such substances is very long, and the processes will be endless. It will cost billions, thousands of campaigners will have to be recruited, posters, pamphlets, speeches... what not. Complete waste. Anyway, what business is it of any other citizen if I prefer to smoke ganja or snort cocaine? Liberty is for every Individual to "pursue happiness" as he deems fit. And all these prohibitions never work anyway. America's "War on Drugs" needs to be speedily ended - for it is also destroying many countries around the world, where these are grown.
It would be best if one united campaign was launched for the constitutional protection of Private Property from State interference.
The failure of Proposition 19 reminded me of the other failed effort - that of the Rastafarians, who established their own "religion" and demanded Liberty on the basis of their faith. It is they who sang, "Get up, stand up, stand up for your rights." But that "right" is NOT the freedom to smoke ganja. The only right we must all fight for is the inviolability of Property. Put that in every constitution. That's it. Fin.
An excellent read in this context is Anthony de Jasay's Before Resorting to Politics. This book shows how resorting to politics causes civic co-operation to atrophy. It is a very slim volume - and truly worth studying. The book can be bought here.
I get your point. But i wish you had also mentioned that "Drugs, sexual preferences, prostitution, gambling, pornography" should all be freed irrespective of the moral overtones they have. Most people would find ugly/degenerate most of the issues you mention. Yet i think they would be convinced of the importance of legalising them (irrespective of their own moral stand) if they understood how and why making them illegal just worsens matters - leading to mafias, crime, corruption, and worse. I'm told child prostitution is largely a result of the illegal drug trade. People have indulged in the activities you mention since the beginning of time and they will continue to do so. By making them legal i believe you take away the dangerous glamour that might perhaps attach to such activities. Less people will therefore want to experiment with them and we will certainly have a cleaner and more moral society. Making them illegal is a bit like banning books. More people suddenly want to read Rohinton Mistry. We should never underestimate the power of curiosity, particularly among the young.
ReplyDelete@Devil's Advocate: Regarding "Drugs, sexual preferences, prostitution, gambling, pornography" you use the expression "moral overtones." Well, those who have moral objections to these activities are perfectly free to persuade others, especially the youth, against doing these things. But they should not be allowed to use FORCE - and Legislation is nothing but brute force.
ReplyDeleteIn the case of ganja - the "drug" whose freedom I personally champion - it is morally accepted in Indian society, and the sadhus with their chillums are not considered "degenerate."
If Liberty prevails, people will try out all kinds of highs and finally choose the ones that suit them best. Today, the State has limited the choice to alcohol and tobacco. And various kinds of pharmaceutical industry products. I do not think these are the best choices.
Of course, with Liberty, some people will most certainly make wrong choices. Freedom includes the freedom to make mistakes.
The problem is that most ordinary people think the govt should protect them - particularly the youth - from "falling prey to degenerate activities". The ma-baap culture you talk about, in which the State is expected to be the stern nanny and slap those who dare disobey her rules. Don't forget that the average person is frightened of the freedom you talk of.Absurdly frightened, if you ask me. That is precisely why goon politicians succeed.
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