The right’s rhetoric is all about individual liberty, says Michael R. Strain, but love of fellow humans is essential to a functioning society — or policy.

Many on the right correctly emphasize individual liberty, but they do not emphasize what conservatism knows to be true: It is munity that people learn how to be free.

Ryan argued that “the federal government has a role to play” with respect munity, but that “it’s a supporting role, not the leading one.” This is generally true. Government should distance itself enough from the individual that civil society — which exists in the space between government and citizen — can flourish. Speaking generally, government should help support these institutions, but it should not do their work for them.

But this is not to say that munitarian ethic should be absent from politics and public policy — quite the opposite. Proceeding with a spirit munity would help conservatives formulate and support better policies. Let’s discuss a few.

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