[HurkinMcGurkin]

People such as this author take the real concept of "license" and stand it on its head. "License" is permission granted by some authority other than one's self to do something. True freedom does not entail receiving permission from another to engage in actions which do not violate the rights of others.

Counterfeit freedom is worse than fraudulent. It is the mortal enemy of the real thing.

I agree if the author is talking about REAL "license" such as a true democracy where things are put to a vote. Direct democracy IS the mortal enemy of freedom. Democracy puts rights up to a vote. Rights then become a "license" which can be revoked by a vote.

Counterfeit freedom can provide no rational account or defense of its own normative claims. It speaks the language of rights, but in abandoning the ground of moral duty it provides no rational basis for anyone to respect the rights of others or to demand of others respect for one’s own rights.

The moral ground to TRUE freedom IS the recognition of each indivual's natural right to live their life in the manner they see fit as long as the individual's choices and actions do not infringe on another's same right. TRUE freedom is about INDIVIDUAL rights. Freedom becomes license not when each individual operates on the above premise of freedom, but when natural rights are voted away "for the good of the community" or any concept that places the wishes of a group above the rights of the individual.

Freedom is freedom. It can't be redefined to suit the needs of a particular social faction. License is created in the absence of the recognition of freedom.

[jimkress]

Your definition of 'license' is only one of the 4 uses of the word. The others are:

2. Deviation from normal rules, practices, or methods in order to achieve a certain end or effect.
3. Latitude of action, especially in behavior or speech. See Synonyms at freedom.
4.1. Lack of due restraint; excessive freedom: “When liberty becomes license, dictatorship is near” (Will Durant).
4.2. Heedlessness for the precepts of proper behavior; licentiousness.

The author is precisely correct when he states;

For republican government – government by the people – requires a people who are prepared to take responsibility for the common good, including the preservation of the conditions of liberty.

'Rights' associated with Liberty always have associated responsibilities. They are inextricably intertwined. All too many people here at FR, and in society in general, have become obsessed with their 'rights' while ignoring their responsibilities. You cannot have Liberty without responsibilities.

Those who claim 'rights' and Liberty without also accepting and living the associated responsibilities, really only want License. They become Libertines, not free men.

[steve50]

People such as this author take the real concept of "license" and stand it on its head. "License" is permission granted by some authority other than one's self to do something. True freedom does not entail receiving permission from another to engage in actions which do not violate the rights of others.

Good post. "...rightful liberty is unobstructed action according to our own will within limits drawn around us by the equal rights of others. I do not add ‘within the limits of the law,’ because law is often but the tyrant’s will, and always so when it violates the right of an individual." - Thomas Jefferson