The Sacred Nonaggression Principle
Field manual for activists, teachers,
and public servants
by Brian Wright
2009, Lulu, 128 pages
Summary of book by author
This isn't a review so much as a summary
drawn primarily from my PowerPoint presentation delivered at the Free State Liberty Forum on March 7, 2009, in Nashua, New Hampshire.
The idea behind this book is to morally elevate the simple nonaggression principle—which is basically the principle of rights, the tenet that society must not condone or accept the initiation of force by one human upon another—into our special calling as human beings.
I start the book with the observation that many of us are particularly sensitive to the presence or absence of freedom in society.
The Big Universal Problem (BUP)
I call this general ennui and what causes it the Big Universal Problem, and it becomes apparent that the BUP is tyranny. Moreover, the book goes into a fair amount of discussion as to precisely who is behind the BUP and what "we" can do for a solution.
Sensing that the nonaggression principle is the biggest part of the solution, I do some exploring of what we learn as children:
Spiritual Kindergarten
By spirituality I mean the pursuit or acceptance of "the sacred," which, for me, is a higher state of consciousness thoroughly consistent with reason. From Robert Fulghum's book, All I Ever Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten, we get the Kindergarten principle:
Don’t hit
Don’t steal
Keep promises
There's also a fairly clear biological basis for the SNaP, because most societies cannot survive with internal strife caused by one person harming another by starting the use of force. Most natural humans regard thieves as lower than whale feces, but a few humans lack the gene or have a personality disorder that has no problem with stealing—but they have to be deceptive to accomplish their antihuman ends. This is the origin of what I have called the Kleptocons (power elites) who sit behind the BUP.
The SNaPstrip
What constitutes spiritual enlightenment is a matter of deep discussion, but what I contrived as a road map to ultimate fulfillment is a scale showing both psychological independence and spiritual growth.
As the species develops toward self-awareness (or as an individual does) several thresholds seem to be reached along the spiritual growth curve, we become more in tune with the SNaP as well. (It helps to keep in mind the classic axis of conflict between individualism and collectivism.) Basically, in the book I define the variables, with the "we" side being more freedom people and the "they" side being more power people.
Summary of the Book
The basic architecture of the book is summarized in the following columns:
So the reader of this column can basically delve into the meat of the book as deeply as he/she wishes. In these Coffee Coaster columns, I have presented a large amount of material about the nature and prospects of the SNaP. I'm particularly happy with how the column (and chapter) on the benefits for the SNaP concretizes how wonderful a society without coercion will be. Also, the tables of questions and answers and priorities of the liberating process (in the column/chapter on how to promulgate the ideas) are helpful.
Some material that did not make the columns is in the book, and I believe is interesting. For example, here are some of the ideas that appear to be unique to the SNaP book, some of them substantial:
Sanctifying the nonaggression principle
Solution to the BUP (tyranny)
Kindergarten rules and biology lead to the SNaP
Connection between local SNaP and global peace
Role of SNaPless <singular controlling entity> in economic system
Identification of the “We” and “They” and the Balance, SNaPstrip
No prohibitions, no compulsions, no privileges, no exceptions
The SNaP trumps all moral arguments in a social context
Benefits:
Spiritual enlightenment
World peace
Safe streets
Abundance
Connection between the SNaP and spiritual growth
Connection between the SNaP and psychological independence
Helps with ability to visualize a benevolent humane future
The simplicity of society without coercion, government small
SNaP certification and pledge concept
Speaking of the SNaP Pledge, I've also placed a sample up on the site. Then, because it's so topical, I'm going to quote the slide (SNaP inspired) that reveals my own idea for something to break us out of these troubled economic times.
"American Citizens Real Financial Stimulus Package"
From the benefits described for implementing a zero-prohibitions, zero-compulsions, zero-privileges, zero-exceptions SNaP policy, we can see substantial wealth savings to American citizens primarily from ending prohibitions and from ending wars of aggression. I call these the “Big 3” of wealth-recovery opportunities:
End the War on Drugs—Experts estimate savings to citizens and governments of $500 billion, but do not take into account damage all victims incur, including lost lives. Total savings to humanity in the United States for ending the WOD = ~$1 trillion/year (most of the savings recurring).
End the Empire—The war budget when you include everything related to the empire is ~$1.5 trillion/year, which can be pared ~2/3 if we end the bogus wars and war on terror and all the other makework projects of the war departments. Total savings to humanity in the United States for ending the US military empire = ~$1 trillion/year (most of the benefit nonrecurring).
End the ban on agricultural hemp—Based on estimates of market size for all the product areas hemp satisfies it’s relatively easy to see a $trillion/year role in a GDP (2007 based) of $23 trillion in private industry (which of course would require a few years to accomplish). Total benefits to humanity in the United States for ending the ban on agricultural hemp = ~$1 trillion/year recurring (starting in 3-5 years with increased productivity into the multiple $trillions going forward).
And hemp is the ultimate green, carbon-scavenging industry!
Thus without even breaking a sweat, and having to borrow no money, having to raise no taxes, not having to perpetuate continually unworkable government programs, Americans will receive an annual benefit of $3 trillion indefinitely (~$10K per man, woman, and child per year). Now that’s a stimulus with punch!
