Is it time for Americans to declare their independence anew?
The notion of “freedom” has become fundamental to the American character. “Freedom” and “liberty” are two of the most powerful words with emotional resonance used in American discourse. Although more associated with the Right in contemporary politics, both sides of the political spectrum make appeals to freedom in framing arguments for the policies they support. Conservatives talk as devoutly about freedom when advocating for open carry, for example, as leftists do when demanding abortion.
Independence is also alluded to, often with regard to the Declaration of Independence and the role that document played in the war that resulted in the United States’ freedom from British rule. Given that context, it’s easy to see why, in the casual thought process of so many Americans, freedom and independence are nearly interchangeable terms.
But while there is certainly some overlap between the two ideas, independence is its own unique principle, one that must be better understood and brought to the forefront in order to promote a stronger, freer America — for, as recent political developments prove, true freedom cannot exist without independence.
Freedom, of course, is easy to understand. It is a state of not being under the control of another’s power or authority. Freedom itself is a broad subject, and there are different kinds of freedom and liberty, but generally Americans agree that they are free in the sense that, while they are subject to the law, the country’s political structure both allows them a voice in the shaping of the law and has enshrined constitutional protections binding the government from infringing on liberties the Framers deemed fundamental.
Independence, on the other hand, has to do with self-sufficiency and self-reliance. More than simply freedom, independence is about autonomy, and the term is best understood when contrasted with its root word and antonym — dependence. To be dependent is to rely on something or someone to some degree. To be independent is to be free of reliance upon an outside force or entity.
In the end, independence brings true freedom, for when one person or entity depends on another, the one depended upon exerts a level of control and influence over the other.
When the Founders declared their independence from Great Britain, they not only declared themselves free from British rule, but understood that in so doing, they were also rejecting the benefits that came with being subjects of the Crown. By becoming independent, they would no longer be under the protection of the British military, which at the time boasted the finest navy in the world. They had to forge their own economy, currency, and financial system and deal with the international community without the backing, wealth, and infrastructure afforded by the great British Empire.
Independence granted freedom, but it also brought responsibility and enormous hard work. And that is always the nature of independence; it is the great trade-off. Dependence costs freedom, but often brings ease and convenience. Independence, on the other hand, brings freedom but also risk and effort.
The trend in American history over the last century has been away from independence. The United States has gotten itself involved in entangling alliances and trade pacts. For the sake of lower costs of consumer goods and better bottom lines for corporate executives, it has forsaken the independence inherent in maintaining domestic industry, allowing the production facilities of major industries to go abroad, into the hands of America’s rivals.
The spiraling growth of America’s debt is part of the trend toward dependence. Whenever the government uses debt (instead of spending only what a conservative, responsible budget of available tax dollars would allow), it falls further and further under the control of its creditors.
In contrast to the tragic modern erasure of American independence, the country’s rivals, particularly Russia and China, have realized that keeping their nations independent across all spheres gives them power and freedom.
During a press conference in December, Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke of his agenda of increasing Moscow’s independence and autonomy:
I have talked about it many times, but it would not hurt to repeat it once again: a country like Russia simply cannot exist without sovereignty; it will simply cease to exist [without it], at least in the form in which it has existed for a thousand years. That said, the main thing is to strengthen sovereignty….
Strengthening external sovereignty, let’s put it this way, requires boosting the country’s defense capabilities and security along its borders. It’s also about strengthening public sovereignty, which includes the unequivocal protection of the rights and freedoms of the country’s citizens, as well as the development of our political system and parliamentarism. Finally, it entails efforts to ensure security in the fields of sovereignty and the economy.
The efforts have doubtless paid off. By eschewing dependence on the dollar and on trade with the United States or on its financial instruments or defense guarantees, Russia and its allies have placed themselves outside the reach of sanctions and other intimidation tactics by Washington.
If America is to be great — and free — again, then it must restore its industry, revitalize its energy sector, rein in debt and spending, and in all spheres reclaim its independence.
