# VIII explained — No Treason

> Chapter companion for No Treason by Lysander Spooner.

## What happens

The chapter argues that the principles of allegiance and treason apply equally to state and national governments, criticizing both the Southern view of involuntary allegiance to the state and the Northern view of involuntary allegiance to the United States, asserting that no man owes involuntary allegiance to any government.

## Themes in this chapter

### Individual Natural Rights

Argues that a man is under no involuntary allegiance to any government, affirming individual natural rights over governmental authority

## Character check-ins

### a man

Discussed as being under no involuntary allegiance to any government

## Key lines

> The opinions of the South, on the subjects of allegiance and treason, have been equally erroneous with those of the North.

Both the South and the North hold mistaken views about allegiance and treason.

_Critique of both regional perspectives on allegiance_

> he was under no involuntary allegiance to either.

No person is bound by involuntary allegiance to any government.

_Core assertion of individual freedom from forced loyalty_

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/no_treason_se/chapters/viii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/no_treason_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/no_treason_se/chapters