Does “Natural Law” actually provides protection for individual liberty?
But, it seems fair to ask, does “natural law” actually respect individuals and their rights (i.e. liberty)? We think not. Why? According to Rothbard, “the natural law ethic states that for man, goodness or badness can be determined by what fulfils or thwarts what is best for man’s nature.” [The Ethics of Liberty, p. 10] But, of course, what may be “good” for “man” may be decidedly bad for men (and women). If we take the example of the sole oasis in a desert (see section F.4.2) then, according to Rothbard, the property owner having the power of life and death over others is “good” while, if the dispossessed revolt and refuse to recognise his “property”, this is “bad”! In other words, Rothbard’s “natural law” is good for some people (namely property owners) while it can be bad for others (namely the working class). In more general terms, this means that a system which results in extensive hierarchy (i.e. archy, power) is “good” (even though it restricts liberty for the many) while attemp
