The Moral Basis for Economic Liberty

Heritage Foundation ^ | July 13, 2010 | Rev. Robert A. Sirico

[Ray76]

Today, those who defend free markets and capitalism often do so solely on managerial or technical grounds, but economic liberty needs a moral defense as well. Defense of economic liberty without reference to morality will ultimately prove injurious to liberty itself. Rightly understood, capitalism is simply the name for the economic component of the natural order of liberty. It means expansive ownership of property, fair and equal rules for all, economic security through prosperity, strict adherence to the boundaries of ownership, opportunity for charity, wise resource use, creativity, growth, development, prosperity, abundance. Most of all, it means the economic application of the principle that every human person has dignity and should have that dignity respected.

[Slyfox]

When our Founders were in college, economics was taught as a sub-specialty of moral philosophy. This was before 1775.

[bennowens]

Liberty and Equality are two ends of the seesaw. You can have one but not both at the same time. This country was founded on liberty and every push for equality makes us give up some liberty. It’s like wanting night and day at the same time!