NationMaster - Encyclopedia: Free State Project

The Free State Project (FSP) is a plan to have 20,000 or more "liberty-oriented" people move to a single state of the United States, with the intent of influencing local politics and policy. The chosen state of the group is New Hampshire, known for its "Live Free or Die" motto and absence of a state income and sales tax. Image File history File links Foro de SÃ£o Paulo meeting File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... An official language is a language that is given a privileged legal status in a state, or other legally-defined territory. ... Liberty is generally considered a concept of political philosophy and identifies the condition in which an individual has immunity from the arbitrary exercise of authority. ... Political migration is any migration motivated primarily by political interests. ... A state is a set of institutions that possesses the exclusive legitimate authority to make the rules that govern the people in one or more societies, having internal and external sovereignty over a definite territory. ... Politics is the process by which groups make decisions. ... Official language(s) English Capital Concord Largest city Manchester Area Ranked 46th - Total 9,359 sq mi (24,239 kmÂ²) - Width 68 miles (110 km) - Length 190 miles (305 km) - % water 3. ... Live Free or Die, as seen in Edinburgh, Scotland. ... State income tax is an income tax in the United States that is levied by each individual state. ... A sales tax is a tax on consumption. ... A tax (also known as a duty) is a financial charge or other levy imposed on an individual or a legal entity by a state or a functional equivalent of a state (e. ...

Mission Statement

The Free State Project is an agreement among 20,000 pro-liberty activists to move to New Hampshire, where they will exert the fullest practical effort toward the creation of a society in which the maximum role of government is the protection of life, liberty, and property. The success of the Project would likely entail reductions in taxation and regulation, reforms at all levels of government to expand individual rights and free markets, and a restoration of constitutional federalism, demonstrating the benefits of liberty to the rest of the nation and the world.^[1]

The Statement of Intent

I hereby state my solemn intent to move to the state of New Hampshire. Once there, I will exert the fullest practical effort toward the creation of a society in which the maximum role of civil government is the protection of life, liberty, and property.^[2]

Alternately, supporters of the FSP who cannot commit to the Statement may sign up as a Friend of the Free State Project.^[3]

History of the movement

Inspired by an article published in L. Neil Smith's online magazine The Libertarian Enterprise on July 23, 2001, Jason Sorens, a Ph.D. candidate at Yale University at the time, argued that the thinly scattered libertarian activism was failing. His conclusion was that it would be necessary for libertarians to geographically concentrate their efforts in order to achieve "liberty in our lifetime." As a result, the Free State Project was founded on September 1, 2001. L. Neil Smith (full name Lester Neil Smith III, also known by his nickname El Neil or The Sage of the High Plains) is a libertarian science fiction author and political activist. ... July 23 is the 204th day (205th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 161 days remaining. ... This article is about the year 2001. ... Jason Sorens is the founder of the Free State Project, a plan to have 20,000 or more liberty-oriented people move to New Hampshire, with the intent of influencing local politics and policy in order to promote libertarian ideals. ... Doctor of Philosophy (Ph. ... Yale redirects here. ... See also Libertarianism and Libertarian Party Libertarian,is a term for person who has made a conscious and principled commitment, evidenced by a statement or Pledge, to forswear violating others rights and usually living in voluntary communities: thus in law no longer subject to government supervision. ... September 1 is the 244th day of the year (245th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the year 2001. ...

When the FSP surpassed 5,000 members in August, 2003, a vote was held to choose the state. The ten candidates were (alphabetically): Alaska, Delaware, Idaho, Maine, Montana, New Hampshire, North Dakota, South Dakota, Vermont, and Wyoming. These states were chosen because of their low populations (under 1.5 million), relatively pro-libertarian native cultures, lack of dependence on federal funds, and decent job markets. The voting process used a Condorcet method to determine which state was most preferable to the most people. On October 1, 2003, it was announced that New Hampshire had been chosen as the Free State (Wyoming came in second). The vote was certified by Alan R. Weiss of ECL / Synchromesh Computing[[1]] of Austin, Texas as fair and unbiased. As part of the certification process, individual members of the FSP could also view their ballots on-line so that they could self-verify their vote. 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Official language(s) English Capital Juneau Largest city Anchorage Area Ranked 1st - Total 663,267 sq mi (1,717,855 kmÂ²) - Width 808 miles (1,300 km) - Length 1,479 miles (2,380 km) - % water 13. ... Official language(s) None Capital Dover Largest city Wilmington Area Ranked 49th - Total 2,491 sq mi (6,452 kmÂ²) - Width 30 miles (48 km) - Length 100 miles (161 km) - % water 21. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Official language(s) None (English de facto) Capital Augusta Largest city Portland Area Ranked 39th - Total 33,414 sq mi (86,542 kmÂ²) - Width 210 miles (338 km) - Length 320 miles (515 km) - % water 13. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Official language(s) English Capital Concord Largest city Manchester Area Ranked 46th - Total 9,359 sq mi (24,239 kmÂ²) - Width 68 miles (110 km) - Length 190 miles (305 km) - % water 3. ... Official language(s) English Capital Bismarck Largest city Fargo Area Ranked 19th - Total 70,762 sq mi (183,272 kmÂ²) - Width 210 miles (340 km) - Length 340 miles (545 km) - % water 2. ... Official language(s) English Capital Pierre Largest city Sioux Falls Area Ranked 17th - Total 77,163 sq mi (199,905 kmÂ²) - Width 210 miles (340 km) - Length 380 miles (610 km) - % water 1. ... Official language(s) None[1] Capital Montpelier Largest city Burlington Area Ranked 45th - Total 9,620 sq mi (24,923 kmÂ²) - Width 80 miles (130 km) - Length 160 miles (260 km) - % water 3. ... Official language(s) English Capital Cheyenne Largest city Cheyenne Area Ranked 10th - Total 97,818 sq mi (253,348 kmÂ²) - Width 280 miles (450 km) - Length 360 miles (580 km) - % water 0. ... See also Libertarianism and Libertarian Party Libertarian,is a term for person who has made a conscious and principled commitment, evidenced by a statement or Pledge, to forswear violating others rights and usually living in voluntary communities: thus in law no longer subject to government supervision. ... In the United States Federal grants are economic aid issued by the United States government out of the general federal revenue. ... Any election method conforming to the Condorcet criterion is known as a Condorcet method. ... October 1 is the 274th day of the year (275th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Computer industry expert on Benchmark (computing) and founder of the EEMBC Certification Laboratory, an independent third party that certifies the benchmark scores for the industry-standard consortium known as EEMBC. Alan R. Weiss is also a Libertarian political activist, former Vice President and Organizer of the Free State Project, was... Nickname: Live Music Capital of the World Location in the state of Texas Coordinates: Country United States State Texas County Travis County Mayor Will Wynn Area - City 669. ...

Following the vote, the focus of the FSP shifted toward recruiting another 15,000 members to commit to the move to New Hampshire. Once membership reaches 20,000, all members are supposed to move within five years. There is no obligation to move until and unless 20,000 members are reached, but many members expressed their desire to move before that time. Early in 2004, Amanda Phillips was named President of the FSP. Amanda Phillips resigned in March 2006[2], and was replaced by Varrin Swearingen. Jason Sorens continues to remain active as Chairman of the Board of Directors. Official language(s) English Capital Concord Largest city Manchester Area Ranked 46th - Total 9,359 sq mi (24,239 kmÂ²) - Width 68 miles (110 km) - Length 190 miles (305 km) - % water 3. ...

After moving to New Hampshire, members have pledged to "exert the fullest practical effort toward the creation of a society in which the maximum role of civil government is the protection of life, liberty, and property." Most (but not all) plan to work within the political system to reduce the size and scope of government through reductions in taxation and regulation, reforms in state and local law, an end to federal mandates, and a restoration of what they see as constitutional federalism. Others include anarcho-capitalists who oppose taxation altogether. The Free State Project has become a "big-tent" political, social, and cultural movement for "liberty-minded" people. The Free State Project itself is non-partisan and non-political and does not take any stance on issues, but acts only as a "bus" to get these like minded individuals to move to New Hampshire. At the core, political federalism is a political philosophy in which a group or body of members are bound together (Latin: foedus, covenant) with a governing representative head. ... Anarcho-capitalism is a view that regards all forms of the state as unnecessary and harmful, particularly in matters of justice and self-defense, while being highly supportive of private property. ...

The First 1000

In January 2006 the FSP launched "The First 1000"[3], an effort to sign up 1000 people willing to move to New Hampshire by the end of 2008. The purpose of this project is to speed up the migration to New Hampshire and generate additional publicity. One reason this project was initiated was in response to the relatively slow progress toward the 20,000 goal, as a way of encouraging a core group of people to move sooner. Another primary reason though, is an acknowledgment that the 150+ people that have already moved to New Hampshire as part of the FSP have accomplished a significant amount; with 1000 people moving, much more could be achieved before the 20,000 participant goal is reached. Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (800x700, 83 KB) This is a logo of an organization, item, or event, and is protected by copyright and/or trademark. ...

The sign-up rate was slow at first, as people took time to make up their minds, and accelerated sharply toward the end. As of December 23st, 2006, 790[4] people have signed up on the project's website, with a deadline of December 31, 2006 to reach 1000. 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Insignia of the FSP

The porcupine signifies a cute and cuddly creature which one is advised to avoid stepping on. This is meant to imply that these individuals are friendly and non-aggressive, but want to be left alone and will defend themselves if attacked, symbolising the non-aggression principle. This mascot has given rise to "porcupine" or "porc" being used as a term for both FSP participants as well as anyone in New Hampshire (FSPer or not) devoted to working for libertarian causes. The insignia bears the FSP's motto, "Liberty in Our Lifetime." Reduced jpeg distortion Free State Project logo This is a copyrighted and/or trademarked logo. ... Genera Family Erethizontidae Coendou Sphiggurus Erethizon Echinoprocta Chaetomys Family Hystricidae Atherurus Hystrix Thecurus Trichys This article is about the rodent mammal. ... The non-aggression principle (also called the non-aggression axiom, anticoercion principle, or zero aggression principle) is a deontological ethical stance associated with the libertarian movement. ...

Recruitment progress

As of 6 December 2006, 7,471 participants have signed up. Of these, at 438 are already in New Hampshire, including 182 who have officially declared that they have moved. Over 1,000 originally opted out of New Hampshire and were removed from the count after the vote, so total growth since the state vote was held is over 2,700. December 6 is the 340th day (341st on leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ...

FSP members have been elected in New Hampshire. The list includes Dawn Lincoln of Winchester, NH to the Winchester Budget Committee, several New Hampshire state representatives, and many more. Winchester is a town located in Cheshire County, New Hampshire. ...

The FSP also sponsors a syndicated call-in talk radio show, Free Talk Live which, as of 6 December is broadcast on 18 radio stations, as well as on satellite radio, via download, and via Podcasting services. This show has contributed to sustaining membership growth and encourages listeners to help expand syndication. The show moved from Sarasota, Florida to Keene, New Hampshire over labor day weekend 2006. Free Talk Live is a radio show that broadcasts live six days a week in the United States. ... December 6 is the 340th day (341st on leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Podcasting is the method of distributing multimedia files, such as audio or video programs, over the Internet using syndication feeds, for playback on mobile devices and personal computers. ... CÃ dZan - a 1925 Sarasota residence that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places Sarasota is a city in the central west coast of Florida, USA. Sarasota Bay and several barrier islands facing the Gulf of Mexico are within its city limits. ... Nickname: Elm City Location Location within New Hampshire Government County Cheshire Settled Incorporated Town City 1734 1753 1873 Mayor City Council Michael E.J. Blastos Charles H. Redfern Angelo D. DiBernardo, Jr. ...

Splinter Groups

The Free State Project inspired or contributed to several splinter groups, such as the Free State Wyoming, which was created independently of the Free State Project, but which absorbed some of those who had voted for a western state and were disappointed by the selection of New Hampshire. The Free State Wyoming logo Free State Wyoming (FSW) is a political migration project whose goal is to bring people of demonstrably ethical character to the state of Wyoming in the western United States to encourage political liberty, free trade and voluntary cooperation. ...

Another such project is the Free Town Project which was started in 2004 by a few Free State Project members who were hoping for quicker change at a smaller scale. However, the project's more radical members failed to win over the residents of their planned destination of Grafton, New Hampshire, and as such, the project does not currently seem to be active. This article should appear in one or more categories. ...

Criticisms of the FSP

Many commentators have questioned the capability of the project to reach its goals. While the project at first received strong support in the libertarian community, it now appears to be stalling. Based on the recent lower rate of new sign-ups, the project might not reach its goal of 20,000 signed members for another 25-30 years — far later than the original plan of 20,000 by September, 2006.

As stated above, the First 1000 effort is one approach they are using to modify the plan from the original goal of 20,000 movers, in part because Soren's original number crunching might have been highly overestimated, compared with the successes the early movers have found so far.

Another problem is the commitment of existing members to actually move when and if the time comes. Many did not participate in the 2003 state selection vote, and though several hundred of the non-voting members did reaffirm their commitment after being contacted by FSP leadership, a large number (estimated as between 1000-2000) did not respond.

To combat these problems, the FSP has stepped up recruitment efforts. These efforts include direct mail, blogads, and planning a more traditional convention-style summit in the winter, the New Hampshire Liberty Forum, with keynote speaker John Stossel in February 2007, along with its annual Porcupine Freedom Festival campout held each summer. Direct marketing is a form of marketing that attempts to send its messages directly to consumers, often without the use of intervening media. ... John F. Stossel (born March 6, 1947) is a consumer reporter and co-anchor for the ABC News show 20/20. ...

Also, the reaction of the present residents of the state is a controversial topic. The plan could be considered analogous to entryism. Free Staters claim they picked New Hampshire as their destination because it is the most in line with their own views. Reactions on the ground have been mixed, though some coalition building with both Left and Right has happened in the last year, over cross spectrum issues like halting the implementation of the federal REAL ID Act program within the state. Entryism (or entrism or enterism) is a political tactic by which an organisation encourages members to infiltrate another organisation in an attempt to gain recruits, or take over entirely. ... The REAL ID Act of 2005 is Division B of United States Public Law 109-13 (H.R. 1268). ...

The FSP has also seen criticism from some former members over its strategies and policies towards meeting its goals. ^[4]

Documentation

"A Candid World," a feature-length documentary about the Free State Project and its participants, is between pre-production and early production stages. The film is helmed by New York City filmmakers Tom Caruso and Marc Femenella.

Possible antecedents

There have been earlier movements to achieve a political or economical agenda by moving population to a relatively sparse territory. Private political migration includes efforts by individuals or organizations to persuade others to migrate to a specified location. The relocated people have not always moved voluntarily and they have not always been accepted by the previous residents; however, in this aspect the Free State Project is entirely voluntary and thus differs from some of the possible antecedents listed here. Political migration is any migration motivated primarily by political interests. ...

State nickname: The Ocean State, Little Rhody Other U.S. States Capital Providence Largest city Providence Governor Donald Carcieri (R) Senators Jack Reed (D) Lincoln Chafee (R) Official language(s) None Area 4,005 kmÂ² (50th) - Land 2,709 kmÂ² - Water 1,296 kmÂ² (32. ... The Plymouth Colony was an English colonial venture in North America from 1620 until 1691. ... Jamestown, or Jamestown Island, was founded in 1607 on the James River in what is currently James City County, Virginia, about 40 miles inland from the Atlantic Ocean and the entrance to the Chesapeake Bay and about 45 miles (70 kilometers) downstream and southeast of Richmond, Virginia. ... Betsy Ross purportedly sewed the first American flag with 13 stars and 13 stripes representing each of the 13 colonies. ... The term Viking commonly denotes the ship-borne explorers, traders, and warriors of the Norsemen who originated in Scandinavia and raided the coasts of the British Isles, France and other parts of Europe from the late 8th century to the 11th century. ... Vinland was the name given to a part of North America by the Icelandic norseman Leif EirÃksson, about the year (AD) 1000. ... The Transylvanian Saxons (German: SiebenbÃ¼rger Sachsen; Romanian: SaÅŸi, Hungarian: SzÃ¡szok) are a people of German origin who settled in Transylvania from the 12th century onwards. ... Map of Romania with Transylvania in yellow Transylvania (Romanian: or Transilvania; Hungarian: ; German: ; Serbian: or Erdelj / Ð•Ñ€Ð´ÐµÑ™) is a historical region in the center of Romania. ... The Plantation of Ulster was a planned process of colonisation which took place in the northern Irish province of Ulster during the early 17th century in the reign of James I of England. ... Plantations in 16th and 17th century Ireland involved the seizure of land owned by the native Irish and granting of it to colonists (planters) from Britain. ... Protestantism is a general grouping of denominations within Christianity. ... Motto: (French for God and my right) Anthem: God Save the King/Queen Capital London Largest city London Official language(s) English (de facto) Unification - by Athelstan AD 927 Area - Total 130,395 kmÂ² (1st in UK) 50,346 sq mi Population - 2005 est. ... Motto: (Latin for No one provokes me with impunity)1 Anthem: Multiple unofficial anthems Capital Edinburgh Largest city Glasgow Official language(s) English, Gaelic, Scots 2 Government Constitutional monarchy - Queen Queen Elizabeth II - Prime Minister of the UK Tony Blair MP - First Minister Jack McConnell MSP Unification - by Kenneth I... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, the lead section of this article may need to be expanded. ... 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Volkstaat (Afrikaans for Peoples state) is a proposal for the establishment of an independent state or autonomous homeland in South Africa for the Afrikaner minority to obtain self determination. ... Pirate utopias were described by historian Peter Lamborn Wilson in his eponymous 1995 book. ... September 2006 is the ninth month of 2006 and has begun on a Friday. ... International Talk Like A Pirate Day is a parodic holiday invented in 1995 by two Americans, John Baur (Ol Chum Bucket) and Mark Summers (Capn Slappy), who proclaimed September 19 each year as the day when everyone in the world should talk like pirates. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... This 1854 map shows slave states (grey), free states (red), and US territories (green) with Kansas in center (white). ... For the term free state as it arises in United States history, see: Free state. ... A slave state was a U.S. state that had legal slavery of African Americans. ... Division of the states during the Civil War: Union states Union territories Border states Bleeding Kansas The Confederacy Confederate territories (not always held) Bleeding Kansas, sometimes referred to in the history of Kansas as Bloody Kansas or the Border War, was a sequence of violent events involving Free-Staters (anti...

Contents

Mission Statement

The Statement of Intent

History of the movement

The First 1000

Insignia of the FSP

Recruitment progress

Splinter Groups

Criticisms of the FSP

Documentation

Possible antecedents

See also

External links

Notes

Contents

Mission Statement GA_googleFillSlot("encyclopedia_square");

The Statement of Intent

History of the movement

The First 1000

Insignia of the FSP

Recruitment progress

Splinter Groups

Criticisms of the FSP

Documentation

Possible antecedents

See also

External links

Notes

Mission Statement