The Non-Initiation of Force Principle

When is the use of force a morally acceptable principle?

Morally, the use of force is only justifiable when it is in the act of self-defense. Going after Bin Laden was such an action, staying in Afghanistan to nation-build is not. We have moved on from our objective, therefore, no longer have self-defense as our moral claim. If the United States is going to continue to be the world’s policeman, there should be an amendment to the Constitution saying as much. Until then, any further action in Afghanistan can only be considered extralegal.

This self-defense, “justifiable use of force” argument makes our involvement in Iraq dubious as well. No matter how fearful we are of a potential enemy, no matter how immoral they are portrayed, no matter how much their very existence may negatively effect our economy, without the moral self-defense argument, no moral justification exists for the preemptive use of force. Therefore, no matter what excuses politicians and political pundits may put forward, our continued involvement in Iraq is nothing short of immoral.

Self-defense is the only justifiable use of force. Unless someone uses force against you, there is never a justifable reason to use force against them, regardless of how one feels, thinks, or believes. Besides, you can get almost anyone to do just about anything at the barrel of a gun...except actually change their hearts or their minds.

Where else does this “justifiable use of force” argument apply?

How about closer to home? For argument’s sake, let’s say your neighbor has a really nice TV and you want it. You probably wouldn’t go in his house, konk him on the head and take it. At least most people would see that as an immoral use of force.

What if you got six of your neighbors to go with you? No. That would not make it any more right.

What if you got six hundred of your neighbors to go with you? No. That still would not make it right.

What if you won a majority in a nation-wide vote? One hundred and fifty-five million people agreed with you that you can go over to your neightbor’s house and take his TV. Sorry, that still doesn’t cut it.

Although, this is exactly how the Democrat/Republican, Left/Right paradigm operates. This modern adherence to mob rule violates the very core of our beliefs “that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights.”

The principle of non-initiation of force is one of the cornerstones of proponents of individual rights. The protection of individual rights is the only proper purpose of government. The use of force for any other purpose can not be justified in any civilized, moral or legal way.