Liberty Discussion is a program designed to engage and inform the core members on the ideas of market economy and classical liberal ideas. Discussions are made on contemporary issues (local or national) through open market perspective. The article is selected and shared within the members to prepare oneself for the program.
On April 21, 2023, Bikalpa, an Alternative organized a Liberty Discussion at Dynamic Education Complex in Biratnagar. The discussion aimed to engage and inform young people about political economy, governance, democratic principles, and values of liberty. The topic of the discussion was “Coercion and Toleration.” The event started with a warm welcome to all the participants, and the objectives of the discussion were explained. During the in-house discussion, the participants shared their views on individual freedom, political freedom, economic freedom, entrepreneurship, innovation, and the role of the government.
As the discussion began, the participants showed great interest in understanding coercion and toleration. The participants shared their views on why governments use coercion and what toleration means. The participants discussed how governments use coercion to enforce laws, maintain order, or promote specific policies. The participants agreed that coercion and toleration are two opposing forces in society. Coercion seeks to impose conformity, while toleration allows for diversity and individual freedom. The participants opined that as long as an individual has done nothing to harm others or violate another’s rights, no one has the right to threaten that individual.
During the discussion, the participants acknowledged that tolerance can be complex, especially when confronted with offensive or harmful views. However, they also emphasized that creating a society that respects individual rights and freedoms is essential.