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ideals and policies are not mysterious, vague generalities, nor are they aimed at helping only a few of our citizens. On the principle that a rising tide lifts all boats, Republicans aim to strengthen the moral-social, the domestic political and economic, and the international health of the entire United States. Republicans appreciate that; in the long run, no one prospers unless all do, none is safe unless all are.
First and most important of the principles underlying Republican policies is the concept of the individual as the sovereign, independent, basic building block of society, the idea of individual liberty, of everyone’s equality before the law. This is a relatively recent development in history, by no means even today the majority position in the world.
It is a principle that developed slowly, haltingly: Greek and Roman citizens were equal, though surrounded and far outnumbered by less-than-equal helpers, women and slaves. Christianity and some other religions provided a major boost, through teaching that every person is loved equally by God and that salvation must be earned by each individual.
The final “push” came during the Enlightenment, late in the Middle Ages, leading to the concept of individual equality and individual liberty enshrined in the Declaration of Independence: “We hold these truths to be selfevident. . .that all men are created equal;. . .that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights,. . . .” From that principle flows the entire concept of popular sovereignty, of government as servant of the people, not the reverse that applies in authoritarian and totalitarian states.
From this principle flow several corollaries: “That government governs best which governs least” is one, and for obvious reasons. The more government, the less individual choice and freedom; the more government, the greater the cost, both directly in taxes and indirectly in resources denied to improved production of goods and services that bring higher living standards.
Another corollary is the requirement, too often forgotten or ignored mainly by liberal Democrats, that individual freedom must be balanced by individual responsibility. This requirement applies everywhere in society, from the individual to groups, smallest to largest. Where persons cannot or will not exercise responsibility (children, criminals, the mentally ill), someone (parents, police, medical institutions) must act to preserve society from disruption.
Republicans have been and are the strongest supporters of the principle of individual freedom when exercised with its essential balance weight — individual, personal responsibility — and against the intrusive and gradually smothering embrace of paternalistic government.
As populations have expanded and the economy has become more complex and interdependent, this link between individual freedom and individual responsibility has grown more
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