It’s liberty. From Bionic Mosquito at lewrockwell.com:
What is the highest political value, or end?
Liberty is not a means to a higher political end. It is itself the highest political end.
– John Emerich Edward Dalberg-Acton, The History of Freedom
Yes, that’s my answer as well. Liberty. Now, that answer needs some explaining, because liberty is understood or developed very differently by different people.
“Liberty means responsibility. That is why most men dread it.” – George Bernard Shaw
“Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.” – United Nations, Universal Declaration of Human Rights
“Liberty,” boomed Wednesday, as they walked to the car, “is a bitch who must be bedded on a mattress of corpses.” – Neil Gaiman, American Gods
“We are convinced that liberty without socialism is privilege, injustice; and that socialism without liberty is slavery and brutality.” – Mikhail Bakunin
“Congress shall make no law abridging the freedom of production and trade…” – Ayn Rand, Atlas Shrugged
And this:
“Cultural liberty is a vital part of human development because being able to choose one’s identity – who one is – without losing the respect of others or being excluded from other choices is important in leading a full life.” – United Nations Development Program
STRAIGHT LINE LOGIC 