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Would Americans Trade Liberty for Security?

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FRIDAY, MAY 9, 2025
We have learned to understand interest-group politics; we no longer have a romantic vision as to how the state operates. If we have not rediscovered, and do not rediscover, and understand the precepts of laisser faire, as organizing principles, it will be necessary to address that which we do know and have learned. If we know that politics fails and that its natural proclivity is to extend its reach beyond tolerable bounds, we may be led to incorporate constraints into a constitutional structure. Depoliticised economic order is within the realm of the politically-constitutionally possible, even if the accompanying faith in market organization is not fully regained. We can protect ourselves against the appetites of the monster that the Leviathan state threatens to become without really understanding and appreciating the efficiency-generating properties of the market.
– James Buchanan, The Annual John Bonython Lecture [March 27, 1990]

HORNBERGER’S BLOG
May 9, 2025
Would Americans Trade Liberty for Security?
Benjamin Franklin stated, “Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.” Would modern-day Americans do that? Would they give up liberty to purchase a little temporary safety? There is no question about it. They already have. In fact, they have been doing it for their entire lives….
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