Collectivism/Socialism/Planned Economy

F A Hayek wrote: "in a planned society...(t)here are three main reasons why such a numerous and strong group with fairly homogeneous views is not likely to be formed by the best but rather by the worst elements of any society...first...the higher the education and intelligence of individuals become, the more their views and tastes are differentiated...if we wish to find a high degree of uniformity and similarity of outlook, we have to descend to the regions of lower moral and intellectual standards...second...the docile and gullible...have no strong convictions of their own but are prepared to accept a ready-made system of values...third and perhaps most important negative element of selection...It seems to be almost a law of human nature that it is easier for people to agree on a negative program---on the hatred of an enemy, on the envy of those better off---than any positive task.  The contrast between the 'we' and the 'they', the common fight against those outside the group seems to be an essential ingredient in any creed which will solidly knit together a group for common action...The enemy, whether he be internal, like the 'Jew' or the 'kulak,' or external, seems to be an indispensable requisite in the armory of the totalitarian leader."  (The Road To Serfdom, F A Hayek, edited by Bruce Caldwell; The University of Chicago Press, 2007; pp 160, 161.) 

Isn't it interesting that the Tea Party did not rise until people felt threatened by the government?  So Hayek's third condition for a solidly knit group for common action.  That is a danger with such movements; some autocrat can come along and co-opt a ready made group which can lead to totalitarianism.  So we must always be vigilant to guard our individual freedoms from the group.  In this life the only boundary on individual freedom is the individual freedom of our neighbor.  And so Christianity has taught that we are to honor mother and father (authorities; honor, not necessarily obey), to not kill, not commit adultery, not steal, not bear false witness, not covet our neighbor's home, not covet the service/help/benefits our neighbor gets from those who serve him/her.  Notice how many of these are prohibitions, protecting our neighbor from us and us from our neighbor, protecting our life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.