"A principle is 'a fundamental, primary, or general truth, on which
other truths depend'. Thus a principle is an abstraction which subsumes a
great number of concretes. It is only by means of principles that one can
set one's long-range goals and evaluate the concrete alternatives of any
given moment. It is only principles that enable a man to plan his future and
to achieve it." - Ayn Rand
I. INDIVIDUALS HAVE A RIGHT TO LIFE
All human beings have an individual right to life and are born with
freedoms based upon this right. These freedoms include one's right to free
thought, free action and the freedom to keep what is produced. It
is the role of government to protect these rights, but to never
encroach upon them. Living in society benefits man only if that society
recognizes and protects these rights and freedoms.
II. INDIVIDUALS HAVE A RIGHT TO THEIR OWN THOUGHTS
All human beings have a right to their own thoughts and have the potential
to use reason to realize their rational self-interest and to live productive
lives. It is the role of government to protect an individual's right to
think or act against the initiation of force by others.
III. INDIVIDUALS HAVE A RIGHT TO THEIR OWN PROPERTY
All human beings have a right to their own property and to keep what
they produce. This includes the right and responsibility to decide what to
do with all that is created. All individuals have a right to trade
freely with others. No government should interfere with any
transaction or trade between individuals.
IV. INDIVIDUALS HAVE A RIGHT TO PROTECT THEMSELVES
All human beings have the right to protect themselves from any initiation
of force against their rights or liberties. To enhance this individual
right, citizens entrust to their government the right to protect them from domestic
and foreign threats. As a result, it is a proper role of government to
protect a nation's borders and to protect a nation's citizens from other
people and/or governments.
