Today's Reading: Benjamin Tucker

re: Today's Reading: Benjamin Tucker

econ student — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 12:53:12 GMT

Good dialogue. idi0m, what did you find special about Tucker's ideas? Rothbard particularly singles him out, but I can't put my finger on it yet. I guess I better just read the man.

re: Today's Reading: Benjamin Tucker

econ student — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 12:52:26 GMT

Good dialogue. idi0m, what did you find special about Tucker's ideas? Rothbard particularly singles him out, but I can't put my finger on it yet. I guess I better just read the man.

re: Today's Reading: Benjamin Tucker

econ student — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 12:52:19 GMT

Good dialogue. idi0m, what did you find special about Tucker's ideas? Rothbard particularly singles him out, but I can't put my finger on it yet. I guess I better just read the man.

re: Today's Reading: Benjamin Tucker

econ student — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 12:52:12 GMT

Good dialogue. idi0m, what did you find special about Tucker's ideas? Rothbard particularly singles him out, but I can't put my finger on it yet. I guess I better just read the man.

re: Today's Reading: Benjamin Tucker

econ student — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 12:50:48 GMT

Good dialogue. idi0m, what did you find special about Tucker's ideas? Rothbard particularly singles him out, but I can't put my finger on it yet. I guess I better just read the man.

re: Today's Reading: Benjamin Tucker

idi0m — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 16:18:09 GMT

Well thank you of course for reading, and for commenting =) It was a great way to kick off a blog here.

re: Today's Reading: Benjamin Tucker

A Dreamer — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 16:47:48 GMT

No need to stress yourself; I just wanted a general overview. You have helped me quite a bit. Thanks again!

re: Today's Reading: Benjamin Tucker

idi0m — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 14:59:08 GMT

No need to apologize. Again for me its all in seeking self-gratification. I'll try to answer as best as possible:

Well he is classic as far as individualism goes. I think most of his importance was in his ability to reach people with his newspaper/journal: Liberty.

He covered a few different things. First he was a natural rights advocate but later adopted Stirner's: Ego approach. I THINK there were two factions of individualists - those concerned with natural rights.. and others concerned with the philosophical ego. Sadly he seemed to have been a bit frayed..

Maybe his vacillation had to do with his pessimism? Whatever the case I began to disagree with what I read after a certain point.

Things I do agree with (to some extent):

He was an advocate for PDA which he covered in an essay "On Picket Duty." Liberty. Jul 30, 1887. He believed in rights to property - but believed in sovereignty of the individual before that.

He spoke of labor theory of value (I have yet to be convinced). He seemed concerned mainly with a natural distribution of property to individuals via the free-market (all for that). I guess he saw it as a natural justice of sorts. I guess this is why he was concerned mainly with monopoly - whether in the hands of wealthy elite or in the hands of government. Which I can heartily agree with.

I wouldn't know how else to place him but from the writers who seemed to affect him. Stirner, Josiah Warren, Spencer, Spooner, and most definitely Proudhon.

I don't think I've summarized him well at all but I hope that its enough as a beginning to grasp him. If you'd like more specifics I can scratch my brain.

re: Today's Reading: Benjamin Tucker

A Dreamer — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 08:29:49 GMT

Thanks for the reply. The passage is inspiring. How would you describe the Tucker doctrine as a whole? And where would you place him among other anarchists? What was his importance? Sorry for the nature of my questions.

re: Today's Reading: Benjamin Tucker

idi0m — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 15:46:12 GMT

I don't agree with all his thoughts on economics mind you ^_^. I feel he had a few good things to say - and like all others made a few mistakes owing to the timing of his observances. I do like Benjamin Tucker though =)

As for 'worth' study; depends I suppose on what one wishes to draw from it. For me its only pleasure. The strength I found in this quote was his assertion of 'happiness' being conducive to right to property.

re: Today's Reading: Benjamin Tucker

A Dreamer — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 15:02:03 GMT

Yeah, I've come across the same issues too. But is Tucker's book worth studying? What are its strengths, weaknesses, etc.? Any info will be appreciated.

re: Today's Reading: Benjamin Tucker

Econ Student — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 08:39:32 GMT

Nice quote! I have just started researching Tucker's writings. Not sure what to make of him (yet). His "might makes right" stance, along with interest/banking issues, seems troublesome, though.