Independence is the foundation of all other freedoms. Without it, a person or a nation becomes a subject rather than a sovereign. Whether it’s foreign rule, financial control, or cultural domination, the loss of independence results in diminished liberty. Political freedom, economic autonomy, and personal dignity all rely on the ability to stand on your own ground. The right to be free from domination—to self-govern, to provide, to speak, to worship, to defend—is not given by governments but arises from natural law. This moral foundation affirms the legitimacy of national sovereignty and personal autonomy; a nation, like a person, has a right to exist free from coercion. Unless people insist on independence—not merely as ideology, but as a birthright—every other liberty will begin to erode. Sovereignty is the prerequisite of freedom: a free nation rejects domination, whether from foreign empires, corporate monopolies, supranational bodies, or ideological subversion. That means ending economic dependence on hostile powers, resisting foreign military entanglements, and reclaiming cultural identity from imported ideas. In practice, this means promoting self-reliance in food, energy, industry, and information; building resilient supply chains; educating citizens on national history and cultural roots; and refusing treaties or trade that would undermine sovereignty. Many nations have sacrificed independence for short-term gains, leaving themselves unable to defend their people, values, or economy. True independence is not isolation—it's strength with restraint, identity without arrogance, and, above all, the first line of protection for freedom. As Thomas Jefferson aptly noted, “The price of independence is eternal vigilance.”

The Constitution is the second pillar of a free society. While Independence secures the right to self-determination, the Constitution establishes the legal and institutional framework that preserves this freedom, serving as the architectural blueprint for ordered liberty. Its core is the rule of law and the separation of powers, ensuring that no one, not even those in authority, is above the law. Through the division of legislative, executive, and judicial functions, government power is both restrained and accountable. A written constitution defines government responsibilities, limits, and structure, providing the people a clear standard for legal and legitimate governance. In practice, the Constitution is enacted through checks and balances, limited government, and enumerated powers, preventing any branch from dominating and guaranteeing that no power exists unless explicitly granted. As a result, the Constitution protects political liberty—the rights to vote, assemble, speak freely, and participate in democracy without fear—so citizens remain sovereign, not subjects. Although man-made, the Constitution’s authority rests upon the deeper foundation of Natural Law (Logos), reflecting an order that is moral, rational, and universal. This ensures the Constitution serves to preserve human dignity and freedom. As George Washington said, “A sacred respect for the constitutional law is the vital principle, the sustaining energy of a free government.”

The Bill of Rights enshrines the principle that natural rights are inviolable—our rights do not come from kings, parliaments, or presidents; they are intrinsic to our humanity. Government legitimacy depends upon protecting these rights, and any attempt to curtail them must be resisted, as the loss of liberty in one area leads to losses in others. These rights include freedom of speech and expression, freedom of religion, freedom of the press, freedom of assembly and petition, the right to bear arms, and due process and legal protections, such as fair trials and protection against unlawful searches or cruel punishment. In practice, this means teaching civic education on these rights; funding independent courts and public defenders; protecting free speech platforms both digital and physical; supporting religious freedom; ensuring responsible gun ownership; resisting mass surveillance; and encouraging courageous citizenship that speaks truth and holds power accountable. The Bill of Rights safeguards civil liberty, the soul of freedom, protecting the right to live and speak as a moral being without coercion or censorship. Without it, democracy becomes mob rule and law turns to tyranny, but with it, even the smallest voice can challenge empires. As James Madison said, "The essence of government is power; and power, lodged as it must be in human hands, will ever be liable to abuse."

A sovereign people must control their own currency, credit, and issuance of money. Public credit is how a nation mobilizes its productive power and finances internal development, making sovereignty real rather than illusory. The policy calls for establishing a publicly owned national bank empowered to issue credit, such as interest-free United States Notes rather than interest-bearing Federal Reserve Notes. This bank would finance infrastructure, innovation, and small enterprises through long-term, free, or low-interest loans; act as a stabilizer against inflation and foreign debt; maintain transparency and public accountability; and separate speculative banking from productive credit issuance. Historically, from Alexander Hamilton’s First Bank to Lincoln’s greenbacks and FDR’s Reconstruction Finance Corporation, America has demonstrated the success of public credit directed at national development. In the 21st century, this would take the form of a digital, accountable national bank focused on clean energy, infrastructure, manufacturing, and technology renewal. The freedom protected by this pillar is economic freedom—the ability of a people to develop their nation, control their financial destiny, and resist foreign domination through debt. Without control over credit, true independence is impossible. As Alexander Hamilton wisely stated, “A national debt, if it is not excessive, will be to us a national blessing.”

Economic independence cannot exist without productive capacity. A nation that consumes what it does not produce becomes the servant of those who do. Domestic manufacturing is the engine of national prosperity, innovation, and resilience. The American System advocates for the strategic protection and promotion of domestic industry through tariffs, internal improvements, and stable national credit. This policy is not isolationism but a way to empower national productivity and reduce dependency on foreign powers for essential goods. Historically, this meant nurturing infant industries with protective tariffs until they could compete globally, ensuring American labor, ingenuity, and raw materials serve the national good rather than enriching foreign monopolies. Manufacturing provides high-wage employment, encourages innovation, and forms the basis of military and economic security. In practice, this involves advocating smart tariffs and industrial policies favoring domestic production, investing in vocational training and technical education to rebuild skilled labor, revitalizing manufacturing hubs and supporting small-to-mid-sized manufacturers, and encouraging citizens to "Buy American" as a civic duty—not a slogan. It also requires ensuring environmental sustainability does not become a pretext to outsource pollution. The freedom preserved by this pillar is economic sovereignty; a nation unable to produce what it needs becomes economically enslaved. Domestic manufacturing protects the freedom to innovate, work with dignity, and build a future with national pride and purpose. As Alexander Hamilton said, “The wealth of a nation lies in its productive labor, not in its paper claims.”

A great nation must be connected. Roads, railways, ports, energy grids, canals, and communication networks are the arteries of national life. Infrastructure is not merely a convenience; it is the strategic foundation for economic growth, social cohesion, and national defense. The American System prioritized government investment in infrastructure to unify the country, promote commerce, and enhance productivity across all regions. It rejected leaving infrastructure solely to private profiteers or fragmented local efforts. Leaders like Alexander Hamilton, Henry Carey, Friedrich List, Henry Clay, and Abraham Lincoln championed national planning and investment as essential for building a modern republic. The goal was not simply transit but transformation. Practical applications include launching bold national infrastructure projects such as clean energy, high-speed rail, and digital access; rebuilding cities and towns with resilient, modern systems; prioritizing regional integration that connects rural and urban communities; and funding these efforts through sovereign credit, not austerity or privatization. The freedom protected by this pillar is mobility and unity—infrastructure connects people to opportunity, defends against division, and ensures the nation rises together. As Henry C. Carey stated, “The Government should create, sustain, and direct the currents of trade, just as it builds the channels of rivers to increase their flow.”

Human progress depends on unlocking new powers in nature through reason, discovery, and invention. A free society must champion science, exploration, and technological advancement—not only for profit but to elevate the condition of mankind. The American System recognized the promotion of science and invention as a responsibility of the state. From the patent office to public education and state-funded research institutions, the nation has proudly nurtured creative minds. Abraham Lincoln hailed the patent system as one of history’s greatest advances, and President Kennedy’s Moon mission symbolized courage and vision beyond commercial interest. Practical steps include supporting national R&D in energy, health, space, agriculture, and engineering; restoring STEM education accessible to all regions and income levels; rebuilding a scientific tradition driven by purpose rather than patents; and fostering public-private partnerships oriented toward national benefit over speculative gain. This pillar protects the freedom to discover—the liberty to shape the future rather than be bound by it. It is the liberty of the mind, the engine of progress, and the light of civilization. As Friedrich List emphasized, “The most vital of all economic functions is the discovery of new principles—the creation of new modes of action.”