Abstract

Individuals should be able to make their own choices and throughout history government overreach has demonstrated to be the worst freedom killer.

As Ayn Rand says, for many societies the forbidden word is EGO, which means I. If “I” stands for an individual, for many societies the forbidden word would be individual and the only thought of defending it seems to be a crime.

In the past reading club we had with liberty international we could read The adventures of Jonathan Gullible A free market Odyssey from Professor Schoolland where Jonathan faces dictatorship attitudes in a place governed by a few and where freedom has been cut in all the ways.

In this article I compelled the most important parts of the book and contrast it against Guatemala’s actual reality and how freedom has been handled all over the world during different times.

How Government overreach minimizes individuals 

The conflict between individuals and government power is a universal issue that has been present throughout history. As a libertarian and objectivist, I believe that individuals should have the freedom to make their own choices and that the government should have a limited role in society. The excess of government power can lead to tyranny and oppression, as we have seen throughout history and around the world.

Let’s make a brief remark of The Adventures of Jonathan Gullible, written by Prof. Ken Schoolland. This book tells the story of a young man who sets out on a journey to discover the principles of a free market economy. Throughout his journey, Jonathan encounters various individuals and societies that illustrate the conflicts between government and individual rights.

I believe that the principles outlined in this book are crucial to understanding the importance of limited government and individual freedom. The story of Jonathan Gullible serves as a great reminder of the dangers of government overreach and the importance of protecting individual rights.

One of the most shocking examples of government overreach in the book is the island of Serfdom. The island is ruled by a tyrannical king who uses his power to control every aspect of the citizens’ lives. The king dictates what they can and cannot do, what they can and cannot buy, and even what they can and cannot think. This society serves as a cautionary tale of what can happen when the government has too much power and individuals do not have the freedom to make their own choices.

Like in Guatemala, where during the civil war, the Guatemalan military and paramilitary groups committed widespread human rights abuses, including extrajudicial killings, torture, and forced disappearances. An estimated 200,000 people were killed or disappeared during the conflict, and many more were displaced. The war ended with a peace agreement signed in 1996, which established a democratic government and a new constitution.

In contrast, the island of Free Enterprise is a shining example of a society that values individual rights and freedom. The inhabitants of this island understand the principles of supply and demand and the importance of free markets. They are able to trade freely with one another and are able to prosper as a result. This society illustrates the benefits of limited government and the importance of protecting individual rights.

As a libertarian, I believe that the government’s role should be limited to protecting individual rights and ensuring that markets are fair and competitive. The story of Jonathan Gullible serves as a reminder that when the government becomes too powerful, it can lead to tyranny and oppression. On the other hand, when individuals are free to make their own choices and pursue their own interests, society as a whole benefits.

I believe that the principles outlined in this book are crucial to understanding the dangers of government overreach and the benefits of a free market economy. The story of Jonathan Gullible serves as a cautionary tale of what can happen when the government has too much power and a shining example of the benefits of individual freedom and limited government.

In real life, one of the most deceiving examples of government overreach is the totalitarian regimes of the 20th century. The Nazi regime in Germany and the Soviet Union under Stalin are two examples of governments that had complete control over the lives of their citizens. These regimes were characterized by censorship, surveillance, and repression of political dissent. Millions of people were killed or imprisoned for opposing the government’s policies. This serves as a reminder of the dangers of the government having too much power and the importance of protecting individual rights.

Another example of government overreach can be seen in the current political climate of China. The Chinese government is known for its censorship and surveillance of its citizens. The government has implemented strict control over the internet, and citizens are not allowed to access certain websites or use certain social media platforms. The government also uses a vast network of surveillance cameras and monitoring systems to keep track of the population. This serves as a reminder of the dangers of the government having too much control over the lives of its citizens and the importance of protecting individual rights.

I can also talk about my country Guatemala which is trying to implement a centralized digital coin to control the whole country’s economy that will create a bigger inflation than the one we have now due to the corruption of our governors and where in the last few years the government under Giammattei’s leadership has been full of anti-government protests, with reports of excessive use of force by the police and military. The government has also been accused of violating freedom of speech and press, with journalists reporting that they have been targeted and harassed for their work. These actions have created a climate of fear and repression, making it difficult for Guatemalans to exercise their rights and freedoms.

In contrast, we can see the benefits of limited government in countries that have embraced libertarian principles. Switzerland is an example of a country that has a strong tradition of individual freedom and limited government. The Swiss government has a decentralized system of government, with power divided among the cantons and municipalities. This system allows for a high degree of local autonomy and individual freedom. As a result, the Swiss people enjoy a high standard of living and a low crime rate.

In the United States, the founding fathers created a system of government that is based on the principles of individual freedom and limited government. The Constitution guarantees certain rights and freedoms to individuals, such as freedom of speech and religion. The system of checks and balances also limits the power of the government by dividing it into three branches: the executive, legislative, and judicial. This serves as a reminder of the benefits of limited government and the importance of protecting individual rights. We can read in the preface of the Declaration of Independence that the Cato Institute gives for free “We are all created equal, as defined by our natural rights; thus, no one has rights  superior to those of anyone else. Moreover, we are born with those rights, we don’t get them from the government – indeed whatever rights or powers government has come from us, from “the Consent of the Governed.”And our rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness imply the right to live our lives as we wish. – to pursue happiness as we think the best, by our own lights- provided only that we respect the equal rights of others to do the same.”

As a libertarian, I believe that individuals should have the freedom to make their own choices and that the government should have a limited role in society. The excess of government power can lead to tyranny and oppression, as we have seen throughout history and around the world. It is crucial to remember that protecting individual rights is essential for a healthy and prosperous society. The examples of totalitarian regimes and the current political climate in China serves as a reminder of the dangers of the government having too much power. In contrast, Switzerland and the United States serve as examples of the benefits of limited government and the importance of protecting individual rights.

In conclusion, the conflict between individuals and government power is a universal issue that has been present throughout history. As a libertarian, I believe that individuals should have the freedom to make their own choices and that the government should have a limited role in society. The excess of government power can lead to tyranny and oppression, as we have seen throughout history and around the world. It is crucial to remember that protecting individual rights is essential for a healthy and prosperous society. We must be vigilant in protecting our rights and be mindful of the dangers of government overreach.

Authored by

Article written by Luis Pedro Santis Fuentes from San Marcos, Guatemala, Central America after completing the Socratic Reading Circles on the Jonathan Gullible organized by Liberty International.

Who is Luis? Artist by nature, an actor, writer, poet, photographer and painter by passion, a creative and entrepreneur who was born in my beautiful Guatemala to give light and inspire others. Defender of freedom. Son of teacher parents, lover of verse and prose.