"The triumph of persuasion over force is the sign of a civilized society."

The increasing use of coercive measures (regulation and taxation) in our society represents a movement away from social cooperation and civilization*.  It is ironic that this is viewed as progress.  I came across this excellent article by mark Skousen yesterday, in which he quotes from Alfred North Whitehead:

“The creation of the world — said Plato — is the victory of persuasion over force… Civilization is the maintenance of social order, by its own inherent persuasiveness as embodying the nobler alternative. The recourse to force, however unavoidable, is a disclosure of the failure of civilization, either in the general society or in a remnant of individuals…

“Now the intercourse between individuals and between social groups takes one of these two forms: force or persuasion. Commerce is the great example of intercourse by way of persuasion. War, slavery, and governmental compulsion exemplify the reign of force.”

Professor Whitehead’s vision of civilized society as the triumph of persuasion over force should become paramount in the mind of all civic-minded individuals and government leaders. It should serve as the guideline for the political ideal. Let me suggest, therefore, a new political creed: The triumph of persuasion over force is the sign of a civilized society.

I think of William Wilberforce vs. Abraham Lincoln. 

By this standard, we are become less civilized*, not more.  Again, Skousen:

Too often politicians think that new programs requiring new taxes are the only way to pay for citizens’ retirement, health care, education or other social needs. “People just aren’t willing to pay for these services themselves,” they say, so they force others to pay for them instead.

Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes once said, “Taxation is the price we pay for civilization.” But isn’t the opposite really the case? Taxation is the price we pay for failing to build a civilized society. The higher the tax level, the greater the failure. A centrally planned totalitarian state represents a complete defeat for the civilized world, while a totally voluntary society represents its ultimate success.

 *civilize:   To raise from barbarism to an enlightened stage of development; bring out of a primitive or savage state.

[Via http://alltta.wordpress.com]