The American Tradition of Voluntarism

In the 1830's, one Captain Frederick Marryat visited America from England. His impression of Americans? "[They] are society mad." He listed 22 of the most prominent benevolent societies in 1834- e.g, American Education Society, American Bible Society, American Sunday School Union, Prison Discipline Society, American Temperance Society, and so on-, but found it necessary to add that there "are many others...." (The American Tradition, Clarence B. Carson) Another observed "The principle of voluntary association accorded so well with American political and economic theories that as early as 1820 the larger cities had an embarrassment of benevolent organizations." (Bremmer)

In fact the amount of charitable giving reached the point that people were concerned more about the negative effects of hand-outs than they were about worrying about people left needing. During the Civil war there was this overabundance of relief to dependents which "measured by money expended, the largest charitable efforts, North and South, were devoted to relieving families of service men. Oft-repeated warnings of the dangers of unwise giving were forgotten for the moment as community and state-wide relief organizations solicited contributions...." (The American Tradition, Carson)

Most of these groups were accomplished voluntarily, with minimal compulsion. What's more interesting is that in the early history of this nation, religion was compulsory; with the adoption of the Constitution of 1787, it became a voluntary matter as far as government was concerned. The result? Religion flourished. New denominations cropped up; revivals swept nearly all areas, and religion took on a never before seen vitality. The same pattern can be seen elsewhere; in education, relief of poverty ventures, etc.

Then the trend changed. Collectivist ideologies began gaining acceptance and many began to be influenced by these new ideas. Conditions changed in America, and thinkers and publicists were committed to government, rather than voluntary solutions, which led to government assuming more responsibilities such as providing "free" schools, building roads and highways, providing welfare, and regulating and controlling economic endeavors. More things that were voluntary in the past, are now compulsory. Although it is true that certain activities need governmental intervention, the historical record of this country and those who settled here shows that voluntarism is sufficient to take care of most matters. In order to maintain liberty, that which can be handled by voluntarism, must be. (The American Tradition, Carson)

Some may think that if the government is taking care of the problems, then why worry about this trend towards bigger government, more compulsion and less opportunities for voluntary action. With the government assuming more responsibility, we tend towards increased "free-loading" behavior. If the government is going to take care of the poor, if they are going to "improve" education, if they are going to do this and that, then we needn't worry about those things. In addition, the government is using our money in order to fulfill those responsibilities. So not only do we psychologically feel less accountable, but we already feel like we have done our part. One of the great obstacles to positive human behavior, rationalization, is made simple for each of us, because we have already made sacrifices.

However, if the government were fully capable of attending to the needs of society, then we should still come out on top. We all contribute to government planning and organizing to handle our problems. However, who are those people that are doing the planning? Are they really connected to our lives the way we are? Do they see the needs and opportunities for service, for growth the way we do? Do their programs actually address the needs that we have? If this voluntarism tradition were to be continued, programs would originate at the level they intend to serve. People would be passionate about the causes they enlist in, because they are using their own agency to participate.