No Treason · Question
How does No Treason develop the theme of Secret Government and Secret Ballot?
Answer
No Treason by Lysander Spooner develops Secret Government and Secret Ballot across the chapters the companion marks for this theme.
The author attacks the secret ballot as creating a secret band of robbers and murderers, since it allows individuals to avoid responsibility for the actions of their agents and conceals the true rulers.
The secret ballot is condemned as creating a secret government of robbers and murderers, preventing any legal proof of consent.
The secret ballot is condemned as creating a secret band of robbers, tyrants, and murderers, and as preventing any legal proof of support for the Constitution.
The secret ballot is portrayed as a mechanism that conceals the identity of rulers, preventing taxpayers from knowing who they are contracting with or consenting to.
Evidence in the book
- VI: The Constitution of No Authority
The secret ballot is condemned as creating a secret government of robbers and murderers, preventing any legal proof of consent.
- II
The secret ballot is condemned as creating a secret band of robbers, tyrants, and murderers, and as preventing any legal proof of support for the Constitution.
- Chapter III
The secret ballot is portrayed as a mechanism that conceals the identity of rulers, preventing taxpayers from knowing who they are contracting with or consenting to.
- VII
The people have never been asked to sign the Constitution, implying a secret or imposed government.
- VIII
The chapter argues that the secret ballot creates a secret government of robbers and murderers, as agents cannot know their principals and no one takes personal responsibility.
- IX
The chapter directly attacks the secret ballot as the foundation of a secret government of robbers and murderers, arguing it enables covert plunder and murder.
- Chapter X
The chapter explicitly argues that the government is a secret band of robbers and murderers, chosen by secret ballot to avoid personal responsibility.
- II
The chapter extensively argues that the secret ballot creates a secret government where agents are appointed by unknown individuals, preventing any legitimate contract or oath.
