African Students for Liberty & Libertarianism: What I Encountered in ASFL Workshop!

Few days ago, I landed on an invitation to attend an awareness and sensitization program regarding African Students for Liberty, and the general political philosophy of libertarianism. Well, as always, as a guy who is open to ideas and new opportunities, I applied, got accepted, and attended. The date was 16th April 2022, and the venue was Nobe View Hotel, Ntinda. Below are the few things I encountered there.

African Students for Liberty on concepts of libertarianism

1. Lovely young people with big interest in big discussions!

With the explosion of social media and short tweets killing hundreds of comments, it is rare to find young people interested in big questions and big discussions. However, what I found here is awesome. Youth are asking big questions, and have the patience and courtesy of looking for answers, not quick incomplete ones, but real, practical, and yet theory-backed answers in books, philosophy, all-time scholars, and everyday happenings.

In this short meeting, we hustled over issues like, is taxation theft? What are swamps supposed to be doing in towns? Should there be government? If yes, which type? And more.

To be frank, this is my group. I love people who read, search for answers, and are open to new ideas and challenges. This group seems to be open-minded, ready to discuss philosophy, economics, public health, sociology, and all things knowledge. In my view, allowing access to and practicing knowledge should be part of the definition of libertarianism. And it is!

2. What is African Students for Liberty?

Maybe I had heard about the society or organization, but I surely had never interacted with anything of theirs! In this program, I got exposed to the whole idea of ASFL. This is a big organization that is specifically spreading pro-liberty ideas and principles to the world through students. In other words, ASFL is, wait, get it from them:

‘Rapidly growing network of pro-liberty students from all over the world. We are the largest libertarian student organization in the world’.

That’s it. On that day, the speaker, Charles Nyakumbo, a passionate young leader from Kenya, explained that, to achieve the vision, ASFL educates, develops, and empowers students across the world, enabling the ideas to spread beyond. This seems to be their strategy. For details, see the official website.

ASFL has many initiatives through which it accomplishes everything, including events and conferences, online courses and academy, recruitment and mentoring next generation of leaders, supporting journalism, writing, and research, and much more. Also, check their African Liberty initiative that focuses on literature, journalism, and discussions regarding liberty.

3. What is Liberty? Or Libertarianism?

Is liberty the same as liberal? What is libertarianism? Which principles or concepts are inherent in liberty philosophies?

Wait! Good thing is you aren’t the only one asking these questions; I too have asked them! And many more have asked the questions. Check out Quora, what is the difference between having liberty and liberalism? Well, you see, you aren’t alone in this confusion!

Secondly, you won’t get all the answers in this post. Neither did I get them in this conference! But, “I suggest you remain with us for long, for we at least allow you to explore them all as long as you want”, the ASFL promises!

Well, in simple language, I suppose, Liberty means freedom. And Liberalism is a political philosophy that promises to deliver freedom. Wait! But libertarianism is also a political philosophy! I am now confused! Well, let us assume they are the same, and explore few things they share in common. Note that I haven’t done extensive research on these common principles of libertarianism or even liberalism. I am presenting them as they were shared.

I. One, individual freedom should be priced above everything else. Have you imagined a world where everyone does what he thinks is best for him or herself, as long as it doesn’t hurt anyone else? Well, liberals and libertarians alike think that it is possible. Are there moral implications? Who decides on our morals anyway?

Big issues here would be homosexuality and sexual orientation, one choosing his own faith or even start his, knowledge and what to read and know, and whatever one does with his body or life! But there can even be small issues like, what should one plant in his garden? Or which music should I play in my house? As you can see, this philosophy is awesome.

However, like one scholar said, political philosophies are like an ocean, with various kinds of aquatic animals! In this case, you can see, even within liberals and libertarians, there are many differences on various issues.

For example, personally, I wouldn’t surely like the government to control what I eat or wear or play in my house. Here, I am a liberal or libertarian.

But discussions of which religion should be allowed in or whether schools and churches should openly support same sex relationships would really make us take different directions! On these, I might embrace conservatism or something worse! Lol. But these views could change, right? Well, that is the promise of libertarianism; it gives you the opportunity to be, without coercion, and hope and pray that one day you embrace it! I think this is cool. You don’t have to kill what you don’t like!

Can this chart help you find where to belong? For me, for now, I like not to fully belong anywhere!

II. Property rights. Surely, I won’t talk much about this, for I have a lot of reservations regarding the topic. However, in brief, property rights is about owning! I surely don’t know how owning and controlling a certain aspect of this cosmos or life would offer liberty, unless it is for the individual alone? But Libertarians (not all of them, for I am certainly one of them) see it that way!

Even for the guy in control, true freedom and liberty is debatable!

Good thing is I am not the only one who thinks too much of this could be dangerous; this guy thinks so as well! But we have a lot of time to learn, right? Libertarians promise us that!

III. Free Economy. Well, I love this word or words, all of it, I mean the sound of it! Government’s control over economy are terrible, and are rarely about us. When it comes to corrupt governments of Africa, control of economy would be a disaster! In free economy and markets, individuals and companies are given opportunity to trade value among themselves. Libertarians want this; free markets.

According to Libertarianism, government should only do supervision, support supervision, ensuring that whatever is happening in the free market is just fair, true, and pro-society. This is awesome. However, as you already know, individuals and corporations wouldn’t really care making money at the expense of your life! Besides, if free markets and economy were the only order, investments and development would follow money and resources. In this case, I don’t see a less productive region get developed! Capitalists only go where there is profit!

But, with all of that said, I still agree with Libertarians, governments should NOT control markets, but just regulate and supervise it! Of course, there are more discussions regarding how best markets can be free! And the good thing with libertarianism is, you have all the time and resources to debate that without being harassed or coerced!

Welcome!

IV. Rule of the law. For people to be free (individualism), share value in free markets, and have rights and ownership of intellectual and physical property, there must be law to ensure they don’t exploit each other. Wow! This is awesome. But there is a catch!

Libertarians believe in natural law more and less in the usual legal law or commands! What is natural law? According to John Finnis, it is law created based on our intrinsic values as humans, and our pull towards dignity and respect for others as provided by our reason, nature, or God! This opens up an ocean of other questions, and the discussion will last!

This article by David Boaz explains this concept better!

V. Other principles of libertarianism. Like I said, we can’t exhaust everything here. I am simply sharing the little that I learned on that Saturday morning! Others were volunteerism, tolerance, free will, peace, and more. Again, David Boaz has done a better job on Key Concepts of Libertarianism

4. Success Stories and How to Join African Students for Liberty (ASFL)?

Lastly, members shared their journeys with ASFL, and outlined the easy ways of joining! And you are wondering, Vicent, did you join? And as you must have already guessed, yes I did!

While there are billions of ideas that I don’t agree with yet, I agree with the principle of free discussions and exercise of beliefs and ideas without coercion as long as such freedoms aren’t against any other person’s freedoms. Yes, for this, I would love to explore everything with such minds, minds that are open, don’t judge, and listen to you, no matter the nonsense! So, yeah, I think I am a libertarian, in some ways!

And you too can join this group and discuss your beliefs and theories; maybe you could pull them towards your way! Lol.

Surprisingly, I even don’t know how to theoretically join. All I know is to be present in their meetings, and actively contribute as you can. Then, you can even volunteer to organize such talks, and ASFL will support your efforts. For more, how about you call Mr. George Kanyihamba, the leader of Ugandan chapter (0701952228) or the passionate national coordinator from Kenya, Mr. Charles Nyakumbo (cnyakumbo@studentsforliberty.org or +254717869816)? You can as well visit the main website and see for yourself.

Summary: Way Forward on African Students for Liberty

Like I have already said, I think I am a member of this group. I want to explore some of the amazing ideas they propose, get the chance to learn, unlearn, and also teach. Of everything I will experience here, I will see which ideas to bring to life, in my life, and in the lives of those I lead at Miklah. Already, we have a leadership and civic engagement thinktank, The Citizenry, and it wouldn’t harm us to incorporate some of the amazing ideas from these young people into our program as we embark on developing and mentoring the next generation of transformation leaders.

And, already, this Saturday 23rd April 2022, we are converging again at Nobe View Hotel, and the goal is to review a book, Divine Economy Model by Bruce Koerber. You can follow this event live on Facebook. I will be there. You too can be there! See details in the shared photo below.

GOD BLESS YOU