24. Intrusion by any Other Name

THE PROPOSITION THAT EXECUTIVES earn far too much (as was stated that evening at my dinner) reflects a fundamental philosophical view that people should not be allowed to determine the conditions of their own personal relationships. Although this proposition was aimed at prohibiting certain arrangements between associates relative to their working relationship, it is, in principle, no different from prohibiting certain arrangements between partners relative to their sexual relationship.

Either the people in a relationship have the authority to establish the conditions of their relationship (liberty) or someone outside the relationship has the authority to establish those conditions (mastery). In principle, all relationships between contracting, consenting people are personal, irrespective of the nature of those arrangements. It is inconsistent to abhor intrusion into relationships taking place in the bedroom, while embracing intrusion into relationships taking place in the boardroom, or vice versa.

While all political camps advocate intrusion into the personal affairs of individuals, the camps differ in their selection of where intrusion is proper and where it is not. Political camps are adept at morally justifying their selection of intrusions while condemning those selected by their opponents. Laws that intrude into the personal affairs and contractual arrangements between people include those that regulate the conditions of marriage (same-sex, multiple partners, interracial), conditions of employment (wages, hours, benefits), and conditions of commerce (prices, quality, products, services).

We may find the personal relationships between some people to be quite strange and possibly repulsive, and view certain employment arrangements between some people to be deplorable. We may even be appalled at the arrangements people make to exchange their goods and services. However, beyond our displeasure when considering the personal affairs of others, we should ask ourselves: “To whom do these affairs belong—them or me?” Once we forcibly intrude into the way others choose to live their lives, we open our doors to intrusion from those who don’t particularly approve of the way we choose to live ours. Therefore, it behooves us to stay out of the personal affairs of others, lest we unintentionally invite them to intrude into our own personal affairs.