Objectivism 101 Concept Chart Metaphysics Epistemology Ethics Politics The Initiation of Force Rights Right to Life Right to Liberty Right to Property Right to the Pursuit of Happiness Right to Free Speech Right to Self Defense Necessity of Government The Proper Role of Government Laissez Faire Capitalism Taxation Law Rule of Law Constitutions Separation of Powers Checks and Balances Federalism An Armed Populace: The Right to Bear Arms Trial by Jury Voting Capitalism Financing a Government The Death Penalty Abortion Fraud Esthetics Discuss Politics

The Proper Role of Government

Each person survives and flourishes based on their ability to exercise and use their reason. For this to happen, each person must have the protection of individual rights. The whole society will flourish to the degree that rights are protected and individuals are free.

The word proper is used here to mean with man's life as the standard of evaluation. A proper government must be proper for all those governed. A society is beneficial to each member to the extent that they are free (their right are upheld.) With the government being the immediate guardian of freedom for a society, individuals will either immigrate to or flee from that society based on the freedoms protected by the government.

A proper government, a government which is designed to allow man to live his life to the fullest according to his nature (as a rational being), is a government which upholds individual rights and does not itself violate them in any way. The name of that political system is Capitalism.