We are often told, whether implicitly or explicitly, that the ends justify the means. Modern politics is founded on this premise. A goal that many find desirable is announced, and a campaign is launched to pass a law or regulation to achieve that goal.
What is frequently ignored is that these laws and regulations compel or prohibit certain actions. They force individuals to act contrary to their own independent judgment. Indeed, that is why laws and regulations are enacted. Left to their own initiative, individuals would not act in a manner necessary to achieve the desired ends. They must be forced to do so. The ends—some allegedly noble goal—justifies the means—government coercion.
This premise underlies every violation of property rights.
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