The Misleading Phrase 'To Give Back': Debunking the Socialist Assumption of Property
In modern political discourse, the phrase 'to give back' has become a subtle tool used by proponents of socialist ideology. This seemingly harmless phrase carries a complex and often hidden assumption that can fundamentally alter our understanding of property and ownership. Let's explore the nuances of this phrase and why it is important to understand its implications.
What is 'To Give Back'?
'To give back' is a phrase often used to describe charitable actions, such as volunteering at a soup kitchen or donating to a charity. However, this phrase carries a hidden assumption that:
Whatever we produce is not created by our labors, but taken from others. Everything we own actually belongs to others, or to the state. We need to return what we have 'taken'.The Socialist Assumption of Property as Theft
The phrase 'to give back' presupposes a radical and destructive ideological stance known as the Socialist Assumption of Property as Theft. This assumption claims that all property and wealth are ultimately the result of theft or borrowing. Let's break down these claims:
Condition 1: You stole something from someone and now giving it back
If you have stolen something, 'to give back' would be the correct term, and you should return the stolen item. However, this condition is not applicable to voluntary and consensual actions.
Condition 2: You borrowed something from someone and now it is time for you to give it back
If you borrowed something with the agreement to give it back, you should return it. Again, this is a valid condition, but it doesn't apply to voluntary and productive actions.
The Logical Failure of 'To Give Back'
When we consider the production of original goods, such as creating a painting or building a house, the phrase 'to give back' doesn't make logical sense:
You paint a painting and give it away. The phrase 'to give back' would be redundant and illogical, as the recipient never had it in the first place.
You can only 'give back' something that was originally yours and taken from others. If you created it yourself, no adverb is required to indicate that you are giving more than the object.
In most cases, 'giving' does not imply 'giving back.' For example, when you donate to a charity, you are giving something.
The Denial of Charity and Justification of Government Theft
The phrase 'to give back' not only undermines the concept of charity but also justifies government theft. According to the left, your wealth was never yours to begin with; the government can take it from you and distribute it as it sees fit. This is a sophisticated yet insidious form of control:
Charity involves voluntary and ethical giving.
Government theft is unethical and unjust.
Trading for Resources versus Stealing Resources
The phrase 'to give back' also fails to understand the purpose of trade:
Buying resources with consent is a fair exchange between two parties.
Gifts are voluntary and do not require the use of 'giving back.'
Stealing from someone without consent is unethical, and you must give back what you have taken.
Borrowing with the intention to give back can lead to disputes over ownership.
Conclusion
The phrase 'to give back' is a subtle but powerful tool used by proponents of socialism to alter our understanding of property and ownership. By removing the adverb and using 'to give' instead, we can better understand the true nature of our voluntary and productive actions. It is important to recognize that true charity is about voluntary giving, whereas 'giving back' often implies a hidden agenda of theft and redistribution.
References
0976: The justification of property ownership 0884: Redistribution of wealth is wrong 1566: Why is the right to property important 1187: Is it unethical to not help the poor via taxes or some other manner 0618: Conceptually how do progressives disagree with libertarians 0812: Voting to help the poor is neither charity nor Christian 1532: What would charity look like if it cared about alleviating poverty- Dennis' first tour of libertarian ethics
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