Fundamental Political Principles

This is an attempt at outlining the basic values which underlie my political philosophy. These are not simply things I believe in – that would be a much longer list – but principles which I consider to be a necessary foundation for any just society. The list is a work in progress, and I hope to write more on all of these as time permits.

Fundamental human rights: Every person has inherent rights, including life, bodily security, liberty, privacy, freedom of movement and freedom of conscience. The state must not violate these rights, and its foremost duty is to protect them. There must never be torture, slavery, compulsory military service, indefinite detention, mass surveillance and other practices antithetical to these rights.

Individual liberty: Everyone is entitled to lead their life as they wish. People are not obliged to conform to social conventions or subordinate themselves to a group; they are free to uphold traditions or to flout them. The state must not restrict individuals’ personal freedom without the most compelling reason. Unquestioning obedience to authority should always be discouraged; authoritarianism has no place in families, institutions or the state.

Equality before the law: The state must not discriminate against anyone on the basis of age, sex, ethnicity, ancestry, religion, social status or other such characteristics. Everyone, whether in a majority or a minority, should be able to trust that the law will treat them equally and that their rights are secure.

Democracy: Legitimate government rests upon the popular will. All those who are subject to the laws must have a voice in making them. Political leaders should represent the people they govern; this means they are to be chosen through free, fair and genuine elections. Everyone has the right to vote, without discrimination – that includes discrimination on the basis of age.

Proportional representation: The electoral system should enable the full range of people’s political opinions to be represented proportionately. It should encourage multi-factional cooperation and compromise rather than winner-take-all majority rule. To this end, elections should be by preferential voting or a similar system.

Freedom of expression: Democracy depends on the free exchange of information and ideas, and protest and dissent are a vital part of it. Everyone must be able to speak their mind and share opinions – especially controversial opinions, or ones which might offend – without fear of restriction or persecution. It is not for any authority to decide which opinions are and are not acceptable. The state must not engage in censorship or do anything to suppress dissent.

Multiculturalism: No state belongs exclusively to people of a single ethnicity or culture. Everyone must acknowledge that those who are different are entitled to be part of the same society. People have the right to uphold and express their cultures; they also have the right to adopt or create new cultural identities. Apart from accepting the fundamental values which allow for a pluralistic society in the first place, no one is obliged to assimilate to anyone else’s culture.

Secularism: Likewise, people of all faiths and of none have the right and duty to coexist. Everyone is entitled to hold, practice or change their own beliefs, without coercion. The state must remain neutral; it must not endorse, promote or favor any religion, or irreligion. No religious principles or practices may be imposed on anyone.

Regulated economy: Unrestrained free markets often produce egregiously unfair outcomes and do not advance the common good. Private enterprise must be subject to regulation in the public interest. The state has a duty to intervene in order to protect workers and consumers, prevent exploitation, promote safety, care for the natural environment, and so forth.

Social welfare: When poverty and deprivation exist, the whole of society suffers. The state should support the disadvantaged and strive to ensure that everyone has adequate food, shelter, health care and other necessities of life. Public services such as water, power, transportation and communications should be provided by the state and guaranteed equally to all. There should be a progressive system of taxation; the well-off should be expected to contribute more to the common welfare.

Fair and independent judiciary: Courts of law must always be impartial, and judges must be free from pressure or interference by political leaders. The rights of every accused person – including the presumption of innocence – must be carefully safeguarded. The state’s coercive power must not be used against anyone until it is clearly established to be justified. Everyone is entitled to have access to the courts, without economic or other barriers.

Restorative justice: The aim of the judicial system should be reparation and rehabilitation, never punishment. When harm has been done, it is wrong for the state to cause further harm, even to the offender, by way of retaliation. Imprisonment is justified only when necessary for the protection of society. Under no circumstances shall the death penalty ever be imposed.

Rule of law: The powers of state entities and public officers should be subject to clear limits, and those limits must be observed unconditionally. No one is above the law, and no authority may arrogate powers which it has not been legally and democratically granted. There must be legal recourse even when wrongs are committed by the state or its agents.

Diplomacy and internationalism: All states should strive for peaceful international relations and mutually beneficial cooperation. Where possible, they should promote the welfare not only of their own citizens but of all people. The principles of international law must be respected. No war of aggression or territorial aggrandizement shall ever be waged. Military force may, however, be necessary and justified in self-defense, or to combat the most egregious and widespread abuses of human rights.