Make It Personal

Liberty means responsibility. That is why most men dread it.
GEORGE BERNARD SHAW

(source unknown)

Lots of people don’t want the responsibility nor make the effort to rule themselves and let others (ex: government employees) do it for them. Responsibility can’t be delegated . Risk shouldn’t be shifted to others nor must they accept it. Ultimately, each of us is responsible for ourselves. So if someone else does take action you support at least show appreciation and offer to help. As our ‘official’ social institutions fail us alternatives are needed.

In the absence of law what is left but force? Who will prevail? Who has the will to win? What forces can you muster to support *and win*? Can you prevail without help? Will neighbors or friends support you? To paraphrase pastor Martin Niemöller: "Who will speak for you?" Who will volunteer to act with you in mutual interests?

In a libertarian community government would have fewer functions, functionaries and targets to defend from insurgent attack. What would be the 'gap' in a community where people volunteer to police themselves - a volunteer police department? Where would insurgents look for support or assign targets when community administration is done by community volunteers? In an ideal voluntary (libertarian) community there is no distinction between the government and the people. The people are both the governed and the government. So there can be no 'gap'. Insurgents can't hide in the community. Attacks from outside the community are ordinary war, not insurrection. That simplifies the conflict considerably.

A volunteer government may not be practical in large communities. But the gap between people and government can still be repaired/reduced/ eliminated when government and governed speak for and stand in support of each other.

What about a professional non-volunteer police force? Once it comes under attack by insurgents will you "stand" with the cops in mutual interest? The cops can't win against insurrection without help any more than you can. Shrink the gap by 'standing' with the police. Get deputized and help defend what is attacked or expect to lose it. If the mayor is intimidated/threatened will people stand in mutual support or lose the mayor to the insurrection? Don't stand behind the mayor. Stand in front and protect the mayor. If stores are threatened stand with business people in mutual support or lose the service? All are parts of the community. Join in mutual support or the community is lost to the insurgents.

Act or be acted upon. In concert with others, destroy their ‘will to win’ before they destroy yours. Examples of the failure to act include:

Mafia

Drug cartels in Mexico

See related:

National Neighborhood Watch

Mutual Aid

Posses

Vigilantism

Vigilance committees

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