In our time, there is growing recognition that liberty requires the acknowledgement of a few important principles. These principles taken together constitute the emerging political philosophy known as Panarchy or Panarchism. Panarchy means "all governments," and refers to the idea of multiple governments coexisting in the same territory or geographical region.

In place of the current system wherein we fight for control of a single monopolistic government and then use it to impose our political and social vision on all others, panarchism proposes the idea of multiple coexisting governments.

In place of the current system wherein people vote on the government that is to be forced on their fellow citizens, panarchism proposes the idea of individual choice in government.

There was a time when men attempted to force religions by violence onto unwilling subjects living in the ruler's kingdom. The cause of peaceful coexistence and enlightenment was furthered when we finally came to understand that religion is a matter of individual conscience and personal choice. One's religion knows no geographical boundaries.

Panarchism is the idea that government should also be considered a matter of individual conscience and personal choice. Government membership should also be severed from geographical boundaries and instead individuals should freely choose the government they belong to, in the same way and for the same reasons people choose their religious membership.

Not one monopolistic government, coercively imposed onto all people in the ruler's kingdom. Instead, each person free to choose the government that provides the services and upholds the values he believes are moral and ethical.

Panarchism offers a vision of individual liberty that includes the liberty to choose one's government. And that liberty is the most important liberty of all.

Thank you Dwight, and Panarchy South Jersey, for bringing this important message to the citizens of New Jersey and to others around the world.

Adam Knott, Libertarian writer and philosopher.

Adam Knott Writings