Cecily Zamora
The Natural Law Party (NLP) was a transnational party founded on the principles of Transcendental Meditation and the laws of nature. It was established in 1992 and was active in up to 74 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, India, Australia, and Canada. The party believed that political problems could be solved by aligning with the 'Unified Field' of natural law through the use of Transcendental Meditation and TM-Sidhi programs. The NLP advocated for election and civil rights reforms, sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, and conflict-free politics. Despite its initial success, the party gradually weakened, and by 2004, it had largely disbanded in the United States and other countries.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Founding date | 22 April 1992 |
| Founding location | Fairfield, Iowa |
| Founder | Bevan Morris |
| Affiliated with | International Natural Law Party |
| Founding principles | Transcendental Meditation, laws of nature, application to all levels of government |
| Political problems solution | Alignment with the 'Unified Field' of laws of nature through Transcendental Meditation and TM-Sidhi programs |
| Election proposals | Replacing the Electoral College with popular vote, automatic voter registration, public funding of campaigns, reducing the campaign season, elimination of political action committees |
| Civil rights planks | Equal rights for women and homosexuals, replacing abortion bans with prevention programs, a national referendum on capital punishment |
| Economic policies | Pro-growth fiscal policies |
| Foreign policy | Promoting harmonious international relations by increasing the export of U.S. know-how, rather than weapons |
| Environmental policies | Reduced pollution, elimination of genetically modified crops, increase in sustainable agriculture |
| Education policies | Free college education, use of Transcendental Meditation in schools |
| Health policies | Training citizens in personal health assessment via self-pulse reading, creating groups of experts in the TM-Sidhi program's Yogic Flying technique |
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What You'll Learn
The party's foundation in Transcendental Meditation
The Natural Law Party (NLP) was founded on the principles of Transcendental Meditation and their application to all levels of government. The party defined "natural law" as the organising intelligence that governs the natural universe. It advocated using the Transcendental Meditation technique and the TM-Sidhi program as tools to enliven natural law and reduce or eliminate problems in society.
The NLP was founded in the United Kingdom in March 1992 and was later established in 74 countries, including the United States, France, Austria, Germany, Croatia, Israel, Japan, Spain, the Netherlands, Italy, Australia, Norway, Sweden, New Zealand, Chile, Thailand, Canada, India, and more. The American branch of the party was founded in Fairfield, Iowa, by educators, business leaders, lawyers, and other supporters of the Transcendental Meditation movement.
The NLP's UK manifesto listed five key aspects of a successful government, including the development of each individual's consciousness through Transcendental Meditation and the TM-Sidhi program, reducing healthcare costs by training citizens in personal health assessment via self-pulse reading (an aspect of the Maharishi Vedic Approach to Health), and maintaining the collective health of the country by creating groups of experts in the TM-Sidhi program's Yogic Flying technique.
Leading members of the NLP were associated with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, the leader of the Transcendental Meditation movement. However, the party denied any direct connection to him or the TM movement. Despite this, critics argued that the NLP was "just another front group for the TM movement," and it was reported that almost all of the 92 candidates who ran on the NLP slate in California in 1996 were TM practitioners.
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The international presence of the NLP
The Natural Law Party (NLP) was founded in the United Kingdom in March 1992 and was later established in numerous other countries. The party was founded on the principles of Transcendental Meditation and the laws of nature, advocating for their application to all levels of government. At its peak, the NLP was active in up to 74 countries, including:
- Australia
- Austria
- Belgium
- Canada
- Croatia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- India
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- New Zealand
- The Netherlands
- Trinidad and Tobago
- The United Kingdom
- The United States
In the United States, the NLP ran hundreds of candidates for seats in the House of Representatives during the 1996 election, with the most successful candidates in California and Ohio. The party also endorsed candidates from other parties, such as the Independence Party of Minnesota in 2002 and Dennis Kucinich, a Democrat, for President in 2003. The NLP sought to create an independent coalition of voters interested in election law reform and proposed a flat tax, election reforms, and civil rights planks. However, by 2004, the party had weakened and became largely inactive in the US.
The NLP also had a presence in other countries, such as Canada, where it was active in federal elections between 1993 and 2000 and in provincial elections in Ontario and Quebec during the same period. The party was deregistered in Canada in 2003. In Australia, NLP member Bevan Morris campaigned for a seat in a district in suburban Adelaide for the Australian House of Representatives in 1993. The party also contested elections in other countries, such as France, where Benoît Frappé was the NLP candidate for the European Parliament.
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The NLP's election proposals
The Natural Law Party (NLP) was founded in the United Kingdom in March 1992 and was later established in several other countries. The party was based on the principles of Transcendental Meditation and the laws of nature, advocating for their application to all levels of government.
- Electoral Reforms: The NLP proposed replacing the Electoral College with a popular vote, implementing automatic voter registration, publicly funding campaigns, reducing the campaign season, and eliminating political action committees (PACs) and lobbying by former public servants.
- Civil Rights: The party supported equal rights for women and the LGBTQ+ community. They also wanted to replace bans on abortion with prevention programs and hold a national referendum on capital punishment.
- Social Issues: The NLP advocated for the use of Transcendental Meditation and the TM-Sidhi program's yogic flying practice to reduce crime and promote societal harmony. They also supported organic and sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, and conservation.
- Economic Policies: The NLP proposed ensuring a strong economy by harnessing citizens' creativity and implementing pro-growth fiscal policies. They also wanted to end special interest control of politics and reduce healthcare costs by training citizens in personal health assessment through the Maharishi Vedic Approach to Self-Pulse Reading.
- Education: The party supported free college education and the inclusion of Transcendental Meditation techniques in the school system.
- Foreign Relations: The NLP aimed to promote more harmonious international relations by increasing the export of U.S. expertise and know-how, rather than weapons.
- Taxation: The party supported the implementation of a flat tax.
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Civil rights planks
The Natural Law Party (NLP) was a transnational party founded on the principles of Transcendental Meditation and the laws of nature. It was established in 74 countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, India, Canada, and many European countries. The party defined "natural law" as the organizing intelligence governing the natural universe.
The NLP's civil rights planks were a significant part of its platform. They included:
- Equal rights for women and the LGBTQ+ community.
- Replacing bans on abortion with prevention programs, indicating a pro-choice stance.
- Holding a national referendum on capital punishment, suggesting a belief in the importance of public opinion and due process on issues of life and death.
- Opposition to the legalization of drugs, indicating a focus on public health and safety.
- Support for organic, sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, and conservation. This reflects a concern for the environment and a commitment to long-term sustainability.
- Endorsement of free college education and the use of Transcendental Meditation in schools, indicating a priority on education and holistic development.
The NLP's civil rights planks reflected a progressive and inclusive agenda, aiming to protect the rights and well-being of marginalized communities, women, and individuals affected by issues such as abortion and capital punishment. Their environmental and educational stances also demonstrated a long-term vision for societal well-being and progress.
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The party's decline
The Natural Law Party (NLP) was founded in the United States in 1992 by John Hagelin, a quantum physicist, and a group of professionals interested in promoting evidence-based, prevention-oriented, and cost-effective policies in government. The party's platform was based on the principles of natural law, which they believed could provide a scientific basis for solving societal problems and promoting peace and prosperity.
Now, here is a detailed explanation of the party's decline:
Another factor was the party's inability to translate its unique policies into a coherent and appealing political message. The NLP advocated for a range of unconventional ideas, including using yogic flying to reduce crime and violence and implementing a "prevention wing" in the military. While these policies were based on the principles of natural law and were intended to provide innovative solutions to societal issues, they may have been perceived as unrealistic or bizarre by the mainstream electorate, making it difficult for the party to be taken seriously.
Internal conflicts and financial difficulties also contributed to the party's decline. There were disagreements among members over strategy and the best way to achieve their political goals, with some favoring a more gradual approach of building support at the local level, and others pushing for a more aggressive national campaign. These disputes led to fractures within the party, with some members eventually leaving to form their own groups or pursue other interests. Additionally, the costly national campaigns and lack of sustained financial support from members and donors strained the party's resources, hindering its ability to maintain a strong presence and compete with more established parties.
The NLP also faced challenges in terms of media coverage and public perception. The party struggled to attract media attention and often received limited or negative coverage, which could have influenced public perception. Some critics dismissed the party as a "fringe" group or a "cult," and its association with the Transcendental Meditation movement may have contributed to this perception. Negative media portrayals and a lack of understanding or serious consideration by political commentators likely impacted the party's ability to gain credibility and attract a wider supporter base.
Finally, the party's decline can be partly attributed to the challenges of operating within a two-party system. In the United States, where the Democratic and Republican parties dominate, third parties often struggle to gain a foothold. The electoral system, designed for a two-party contest, makes it difficult for smaller parties to gain representation and have their voices heard. This structural obstacle, combined with the specific circumstances and challenges faced by the NLP, ultimately led to its decline.
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Frequently asked questions
The Natural Law Party (NLP) was founded on the principles of Transcendental Meditation and the belief that political problems could be solved through alignment with the 'Unified Field' of all the laws of nature.
The Natural Law Party was founded in March 1992 in the United Kingdom.
The founding chairman of the party was Bevan Morris, president of Maharishi University of Management (then Maharishi International University).
The NLP believed in applying the laws of nature to all levels of government. They supported equal rights for women and homosexuals, sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, and conservation.
At its peak, the Natural Law Party was active in up to 74 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, India, and Australia.
