Human Nature, Libertarianism, and Progress

Libertarianism is to statism what abolitionism was to slavery or what commerce is to plunder. The default approach to social issues is typically the bad one, based on short-sighted instincts, cognitive biases, and tribal superstitions. It is no excuse to say "such is human nature". The defining feature of human nature is precisely the ability to evolve in the direction of ever-greater rationality, moral maturity, and spiritual profundity. All civilizational progress - the process of substituting liberty for power - is a testament to this notion. To ensure its continuation is primarily to be deeply aware and appreciative of its successes: liberty begins with the awareness that there is no such thing as the right to rule, and triumphs when this awareness is sufficiently widespread.