Dr. Thomas Sowell
c/o Hoover Institute
434 Galvez
Mall,
Dear
Dr. Sowell:
Let me begin by saying that my area of
interest is theology, and I view economics from the point of view of Christian
morality [The Ten Commandments]. Although, I have read a few books on economics
(just enough to appreciate your work), I would like to share a few thoughts I
have had while reading your, “Conflict of Visions”. Although I am not familiar
with most of the writers that you reference, because I believe that man has a
fallen nature, I would agree with the “constrained” vision, that sinful desires
need to be curbed. At the same time, you identify the “constrained” vision with
the forced sterilization of some thirty thousand Americans [almost 100 years
ago]. Yet, from a Christian point of view I regard the people who did that as
leftists because they used “evolution” to justify it, while disregarding the
Ten Commandments. For that reason, and others, I believe that my vision
constitutes a “third Vision,” which I would like to share, and hope that you
will find interesting.
THE AGRARIAN VISION
While the “Agrarian Vision” is not as
obvious in an industrial society as it was 150 years ago, it goes back to the
Biblical ideal of every man being free to sit under his own vine and fig tree.
As it is written, “They shall sit every
man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make them afraid: for
the mouth of the LORD of hosts hath spoken it.” (Micah 4:4) This is the
vision of the millions of homesteaders who spread out over
In ancient
Viewed that way, the “unconstrained vision” with its idea
that dictatorship (by using force and violence) can change human nature so
people are no longer selfish or greedy (the dictatorship of the proletariat),
seems like pure madness.
Another way that the “unconstrained” vision differs
from the Biblical view is by assuming that there is a fixed amount of wealth in
the world, and that the only way someone can get rich is by taking more than
their share. That view seems to be central to the Socialist worldview, although
I believe that it is held by some who follow the “constrained vision”. In
contrast, the Biblical vision does not see wealth as something we get away from
others, but as something that God gives us through His blessing on our work –
the clearest example being Abraham. Abraham did not become wealthy by getting
wealth away from others, but as a result of God’s blessing. God blessed Abraham
by keeping him healthy while protecting his herds and flocks from disease,
theft, predators and natural disasters. As his flocks increased, his wealth
increased, and that is the only way that small family farms get wealth.
Now, there is a difference between a small family
farm, and a “plantation”. On a plantation one family grows wealthy at the
expense of others. For that reason plantation farming is at odds with the
Biblical ideal of every man sitting under his own vine and fig tree. Nevertheless,
because of the plantation culture, the ante-bellum South is unique in that
those who wielded political power also held to the agrarian vision. I do not
know of any other place in history where that was true. And, while the agrarian
vision influenced their political views and the kind of government that they set
up; because bondage and slavery are inconsistent with the agrarian vision, that
vision played a part in its abolition.
Let me also add that freedom according to the Biblical
ideal is not freedom to do as you please (which the Bible describes as bondage
to the flesh), but the freedom to, “lead a quiet and peaceable life in all
godliness and honesty” (1Tim. 2:2). And, that is what all who share the
agrarian vision want to do. We want the government to keep the streets safe
while leaving us free to lead a godly Christian life. And, that excludes all
attempts to cram acceptance of homosexuality, and other evils down our throats.
With this letter I am including an essay that I wrote
some years ago, entitled “The Agrarian Standard of Values”. I hope that you
will find what I have said interesting.
May God be with you
Gary Ray Branscome
branscome.org