The Essential-Liberalism Manifesto

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The Essential-Liberalism Manifesto (Version 1.0; PDF file)

THE ESSENTIAL-LIBERALISM MANIFESTO

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION

I. UNDERLYING PRINCIPLES
1. Rights by mere birth
2. Legitimacy of a limited government
3. Government powers and functions characterized by the principles of “separation of powers” and “checks and balances”
4. Civilian control of the armed forces
5. Representative government
6. Regular elections and orderly transfer of power
7. Right to take part in governance
8. Local government rights
9. Rights not specifically granted
10. Government officials as public servants
11. Rule of law and clear legal expectations

II. RIGHT TO LIFE
1. Right to maintain and end one’s life
2. Taking of human life permitted only in very narrowly defined circumstances
3. Right to life of a fetus

III. RIGHT TO LIBERTY
1. Slavery prohibited
2. Forced labor prohibited
3. Forced medical experimentation prohibited
4. Forced pregnancy prohibited
5. Kidnapping, unlawful confinement, and rape as serious crimes
6. Right to free movement
7. Right to reside anywhere
8. Compliance with lawful detention and arrest procedures required
9. Right to challenge your detention as unlawful

IV. RIGHT TO PROPERTY
1. Private property allowed
2. Ownership rights granted in original creations
3. Property taken only with legal cause
4. Search and seizure restricted

V. RIGHT TO THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS
1. Right to freedom of thought
2. Right to pursue knowledge
3. Right to free expression
4. Right to privacy
5. Right to assemble and to protest
6. Right to associate and be politically affiliated
7. Right to practice one’s religion
8. Right to change one’s religion and to be free from being forced to adopt any religion
9. Right to cohabitate with any other adult
10. Right to have romantic relations, sexual relations, enter into marriage, and divorce
11. Right to bear children and raise them
12. Right to engage in recreational activities
13. Right to own and take care of pets
14. Right to form contracts
15. Right to seek employment and be compensated
16. Right to strike
17. Right to spend your money

VI. RIGHT TO DEFEND YOUR RIGHTS
1. Right to self-defense
2. Right to seek judicial redress

VII. RIGHT TO DUE PROCESS
1. Basic principle
2. Be informed of the charge against you
3. Be handled properly by law enforcement agents
4. Right to remain silent
5. Charge must meet certain requirements
6. Pre-sentencing release conditions
7. Presumption of innocence
8. Court must have proper jurisdiction
9. Can only stand trial if legally competent
10. Right to mount a defense
11. Hearing must be fair and public
12. Standard of proof for guilt to be high
13. Can avoid culpability under certain conditions
14. Punishment not to be excessive
15. Right to appeal
16. No double jeopardy

VIII. RIGHT TO EQUAL PROTECTION
1. No legally recognized hereditary classes
2. Equal protection basic principle
3. Demonstrating wrongful discrimination

IX. RIGHTS OF A PARENT
1. Right to joint custody
2. Equal legal parental rights and responsibilities
3. State to provide special benefits to the family

X. RIGHTS OF A CHILD
1. Rights of all infants equal
2. State to make valid guardianship demands
3. Child’s best interests as governing principle
4. Special protections granted to minors

XI. STATE DUTIES AND FUNCTIONS
1. Grant citizenship
2. Protect
3. Bring to justice those that harm society and its citizens
4. Defend citizens’ broader interests
5. Welcome foreign visitors and immigrants
6. Grant asylum
7. Protect the environment
8. Protect animal welfare
9. Demand contributions
10. Pass laws not inconsistent with these fundamental rights and principles
11. Pass laws in furtherance of the spirit of these fundamental rights and principles

XII. ESSENTIAL-LIBERALISM VALUES
1. Free economic marketplace
2. Strong preference for self-reliance, but also support for those who temporarily or permanently cannot adequately resort to it
3. Rationality and prudence in governance expected
4. Over-legislation discouraged
5. Judicious use of military power
6. Abhorrence of torture
7. Use of one’s rights to seek to withhold others’ fundamental rights not permitted
8. Importance of education and educational institutions
9. Open dialogue among members of society encouraged
10. Resolution of disputes through non-violent means
11. Importance of fraternity
12. Inevitability and desirability of majority rule
13. Recognition that Conservative Essential Liberalism is consistent with Essential Liberalism
14. Respect for friendly nations and global cooperation
15. Inculcating and spreading Essential Liberalism

Page last updated: October 15, 2008