The Non-Aggression Principle

Understanding Aggression and Non-Aggression

The Non-Aggression Principle (NAP) is the foundation of Liberstad and of any truly free and peaceful society.

At its core, the Non-Aggression Principle establishes a simple moral rule: peaceful individuals must be free to live their lives without being subjected to force, threats, or coercion. At the same time, it recognizes the necessity of defense against those who choose to violate others.

To understand the Non-Aggression Principle properly, it is essential to clearly distinguish between what aggression is and what it is not. Many misunderstandings arise when this distinction is blurred.

This article explains that difference.

What Aggression Is

Aggression is the initiation of force, threat, or coercion against another person or their legitimate property.

In simple terms, aggression occurs when someone violates another person’s life, liberty, or property without consent.

Aggression is defined by being the first to use force or coercion.

Examples of aggression include:

• Physical violence or assault

• Threats or intimidation

• Theft, robbery, or fraud

• Extortion

• Vandalism or destruction of property

• Trespass on private property

• Coercion against peaceful individuals

These actions are aggressive because they impose harm or control on others without consent.

Aggression is what the Non-Aggression Principle prohibits.

What Aggression Is Not

Not all use of force is aggression.

Actions are not aggression when they do not initiate force, but instead respond to or prevent aggression, or occur through voluntary consent.

The following are not aggression:

• Self-defense — using necessary and proportional force to stop or prevent an attack

• Defense of others — protecting someone who is facing aggression

• Defense of property — stopping theft, vandalism, or trespass

• Removing a trespasser from private property

• Enforcing voluntary agreements that all parties have freely consented to

• Refusing interaction or service — choosing not to engage with someone

• Peaceful speech and expression, even if critical or unpopular

• Setting and enforcing rules on private property, when those rules are known and accepted

What makes these actions non-aggressive is that they are reactive or consensual, not initiated force.

The Importance of Initiation

The key distinction lies in who initiates force.

• If force is used first, it is aggression.

• If force is used to stop or prevent aggression, it is defense.

This distinction matters because it places responsibility where it belongs: on the initiator of harm.

A person who initiates aggression creates the situation in which defensive force becomes necessary.

Proportionality and Responsibility

Defensive actions must be:

• Necessary to stop the violation

• Proportional to the threat

• Focused on ending harm, not punishment or revenge

Force that goes beyond stopping aggression can itself become aggressive.

Responsibility increases with restraint, clarity, and respect for boundaries.

Why This Distinction Matters

A free and peaceful society depends on clear moral boundaries.

If all force were treated as aggression, peaceful people would be unable to defend themselves.If all force were treated as legitimate, aggression would go unchecked.

The Non-Aggression Principle resolves this by clearly separating:

• Aggression from defense

• Coercion from consent

• Domination from peaceful coexistence

Conclusion

The Non-Aggression Principle is not about eliminating force.

It is about eliminating aggression.

Aggression is the initiation of force against peaceful individuals.

Defense is the legitimate response that protects life, liberty, and property.

Understanding this difference is essential for Liberstad — and for any society that seeks to be both free and peaceful.

Aggression is the first violation.

Defense is what preserves peace.