my school-project personal manifesto

my social teacher had us write up a personal manifesto, as a make-up project for our unit test, because we can't rewrite, due to these circumstances. she laid out some guidelines, so we could connect the project to our curriculum, some of which included us connecting our beliefs to historical philosophers ideologies, and different countries approaches to economics. we had to address our views and beliefs on the nature of humans, the role of society (whether to serve each other, or ourselves) the things that have shaped our ideologies, and what economic system aligns with our views, and which country uses such system. if the specific guidelines were not in place, my manifesto would have looked far different, but because we had to focus more on economics, rather than moral issues, this is what i wrote. :)

MY PERSONAL MANIFESTO - SOCIAL 30

I believe that humans are inherently corrupt and sinful in nature because scripture clearly states that man is born into sin. Children are not taught how to be selfish and rude but rather taught how to be selfless and loving. Thomas Hobbes was a philosopher who agreed that people were born inherently evil. However, his solution to the issue was to put someone in power, who was morally above the ‘average’ evil person. He believed that some people were better fit to be in power.

I believe that people should control the government, rather than allow the government to control them. The government is in place to create change that reflects the desires of the people, therefore the government should be held accountable for their promises made, and what the people voted for. I believe that parents should have full authority and control over what is taught and engrained into their children’s minds and that core values should not be created by the government.

I believe that we are on this earth to serve, first, our Creator, and second, our fellow man. We are not fully satisfied by serving ourselves, but by serving others, because real love only comes from giving. For, through serving others, we reap what we sow. Being selfless and generous with our finances, time, and abilities allows us a much greater reward than we would receive by hoarding what God has given us. For we know, that God has primarily called us to put Him first in our life, and to then treat others as we would like to be treated. Therefore, we should not put materials, money, people, or any other form of an idol before Christ, so that we only serve the one true God, who commands us to be selfless. This applies to every aspect of our lives, including our economic pursuits. Adam Smith’s famous quote, “It is not from the benevolence of the butcher, the brewer, or the baker that we expect our dinner, but from their regard to their own interest.” describes the idea that the pursuit of one’s own interest drives the economy. However, the concept of supply and demand is also in effect. The producer will only provide what the consumer demands, therefore, the producer is acting selflessly, and catering to what others want.

My ideologies have been created, manipulated, changed, and improved by the people closest to me. My parents have taught me how to love others, live confidently, defend my values, and follow the Lord. Because I respect and admire my parents, and their wisdom, I am easily influenced by what they believe. I understand that they have experienced more, and are far wiser than I am, and so I allow their ideas to shape what I believe.

My parents have taught me right from wrong, based on what they have read in God’s Word. Therefore, my ideologies have been shaped by my religion just as much as my family. My core values, and what I believe to be right and wrong, is based on what God says to be true, therefore what my parents say to be true. My religion has a significant influence on my ideologies because I understand that living by the Bible, and God’s commands will allow me to live a fulfilled and happy life. As a Christian, I understand that all life is sacred and that it begins at conception. Therefore, this has shaped my belief that abortion is morally wrong. Christianity also puts a large emphasis on the family structure, which has shaped my ideology that parents should be the sole educators of their children’s core beliefs, rather than the government.

The media is a large influencer for me as well. Learning how to navigate misinformation and filter what is true, has allowed me to find sources that educate me on what is going on in the world, and how to approach it from a Christian perspective. Podcasts, youtube videos, and Instagram influencers shape the way I view current events and moral or religious issues. By listening to a popular conservative speaker, Allie Beth Stuckey, I have formed many new understandings revolving around biblical theology, as well as controversial social topics, such as the lgbtq community. Allie’s podcasts have allowed me to understand why I believe sex is not interchangeable, and gay marriage is wrong, and how I can defend my position, from a Christian perspective, while representing God, and his immeasurable love for everyone.

My ideologies align with a laissez-faire economic system, in which the government has minimal control over the people, and the economy. The government agrees that, when left on its own, the economy will regulate itself. This is a concept that Adam Smith came up with, offering the title ‘The Theory of the Invisible Hand’, that just restates that the economy will regulate itself. Therefore, the government does not need to intervene, to balance income disparity, by offering handouts, implementing a progressive tax, and creating an increased amount of social services and programs.

The United States has adopted this economic system. The United States does not have a universal healthcare program. They have a private healthcare system, which means that the medical system in the US is not owned by the government, or paid for through taxes. The US promotes private ownership, and entrepreneurial success, by having a far lower minimum wage, compared to other countries, having lower taxes, and fewer economic regulations and sanctions.

The United States laissez-faire economic system has massive benefits, primarily the huge amounts of freedom that encompass the entire approach. Economic freedom is highly encouraged, which allows business owners to thrive, because of the low minimum wages, and decreased flat taxes. Because the laissez-faire system means the government is fairly hands-off, this allows for far more religious freedom, freedom of speech and expression, and the freedom to bear arms, and protect yourself. The lack of government control allows for a higher quality of life, because of the overall decreased taxes, regulation, and government intervention. Competition, along with economic freedom, is encouraged, and so the economy thrives and regulates itself.

This economic system, that I stand behind and agree with, is placed to the right of the political spectrum, and closer to the extreme line, than the centerline. The farther right you travel -while staying in front of the extremist line- the less government control is accepted. Taxes and social programs go down along with government intervention. Because these are the values farther right on the political spectrum, the laissez-faire economic system, as well as my own political beliefs, sit farther right as well.