Natural Law Party (United States)
The Natural Law Party (NLP) is a political party in Michigan. It was a national political party in the United States affiliated with the international Natural Law Party. It was founded in 1992. Beginning in 2004, many of its state chapters dissolved. The party's Michigan chapter is still active as of 2024.
Natural Law Party
NLP
Doug Dern
April 22, 1992
April 30, 2004 (as national party)
Hartland, MI
The party proposed that political problems could be solved through alignment with the unified field of all the laws of nature through the use of the Transcendental Meditation and TM-Sidhi programs. Leading members of the party were associated with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, leader of the Transcendental Meditation movement.
The national version of the Natural Law Party ran John Hagelin as its presidential candidate in 1992, 1996 and 2000, and ran Ralph Nader in 2008. The party also ran congressional and local candidates. It attempted to merge with the Reform Party in 2000. Several state affiliates have kept their ballot positions and have allied with other small parties.
Political stand[edit]
"Natural Law" referred to "the ultimate source of order and harmony displayed throughout creation."[1] Harmony with Natural Law could be accomplished by the practice of Transcendental Meditation and more advanced techniques.[1]
The NLP proposed that a government subsidized group of 7,000[2] advanced meditators known as Yogic Flyers would lower nationwide stress, reduce unemployment, raise the gross national product,[3] improve health, reduce crime,[1] and make the country invincible to foreign attack.[4] Hagelin called it a "practical, field-tested, scientifically proven" solution.[5] TM would be taught to the military, to students, in prisons, and to ordinary citizens.[1]
Hagelin predicted that implementation of the program would result in $1 trillion in savings from reduced costs for medical care, criminal prosecutions and prisons, national defense, and other government expenses.[4] It recommended adoption of the Grace Commission reforms.[6] The party supported a flat tax.[7]
Election-related proposals included replacing the Electoral College with popular vote, automatic voter registration, public funding of campaigns, reducing the campaign season, and the elimination of political action committees.[4][8]
Civil rights planks included equal rights for women and homosexuals, replacing bans on abortion with prevention programs, and a national referendum on capital punishment.[4] It opposed the legalization of drugs.[9] In 1992, it suggested the appointment of former Secretary of State George Shultz as drug czar.[9]
It endorsed organic, sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, and conservation.[10]
Slogans included: "Only a new seed will yield a new crop",[2] and "bring the light of science into politics".[8] Catchphrases included: "prevention-oriented solutions" and "conflict-free politics".[10]
As of 2018 the Natural Law Party of Michigan has adopted a policy of acceptance with the chairman of the party stating "My belief is right wing, left wing, same bird. We still try to educate people on the concepts of the Natural Law Party, of scientific solutions to government. But by the same token if you've got different ideas we won't keep you out."[11]
Founding[edit]
Bevan Morris, president of Maharishi University of Management (then called "Maharishi International University"), was the founding chairman of the party, which he created on 22 April 1992 in Fairfield, Iowa.[12]
The party said it had no direct connection to Maharishi Mahesh Yogi or to TM. Hagelin said, "It's not a transcendental meditation party",[8] and denied any connection between the Maharishi University of Management and his campaign.[13] Tompkins said that more than half of its founders were connected to the TM movement.[6] One critic said that it was "just another front group for the TM movement".[13] By one report, almost all of the 92 candidates who ran on the NLP slate in California in 1996 were TM practitioners.[14]
The Natural Law Party had to qualify separately in each state to nominate a presidential candidate. It used 300 signature gatherers, both paid and volunteer, in California alone.[2] The party submitted 5,724 signatures in Iowa, as the party announced at a press conference attended by Mike Love, a member of The Beach Boys and a TM supporter.[15] Nevada required 9,392 signatures.[16] The NLP joined another small party in suing the state over their early deadline, and they succeeded in getting a court to order a second chance to qualify.[16] The NLP qualified after submitting 11,000 valid signatures.[17] The party submitted the required 250,000 signatures in California too late to qualify for the ballot there.[18] By the time of the election, Hagelin was on the ballot in 31 states plus the District of Columbia.[19]
It was certified as a national party by the Federal Election Commission (FEC) in September 1992, making it eligible for federal campaign funds.[20]