Commentary The question of what should constitute the relationship between the individual and the state has been discussed in Chinese philosophical circles for as long as—if not longer than—in Western political discourse. Consider, for instance, the writings of Chinese philosopher Laozi, who lived in the 6th century B.C. He is the author of “the Way” (Tao Te Ching), which urges the ruler to refrain from interfering too much in everyday affairs and allowing the people to pursue their own individual actions. Excerpts from “the Way” demonstrate that Laozi was the first ever “libertarian:” The more prohibitions there are, The poorer the people will be. The more laws are promulgated, The more thieves and bandits there will be. The people are difficult to keep in order because those above them interfere too much. That is the only reason why they are so difficult to keep in order. In the Taoist political philosophy, …