"Vulgar" Libertarianism and Voluntary Socialism

re: "Vulgar" Libertarianism and Voluntary Socialism

Donny with an A — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 09:18:59 GMT

Well after I finish with Stefan's book, I'm going to be using my blog to develop some ideas you might be interested in (mainly for my thesis on ethical problems arising from global climate change). Specifically, I'll be working on a coherent theory of just appropriation and dispossession, on the possible objects of property rights, on the question of whether boundary crossings can be justified in any situations in the absence of compensation, on the issue of what serves as proper compensation, on how to justly hold someone responsible for future damage before it's caused, and on the nature of our responsibility to future generations. If any of those issues sound like something you'd like to work on, I'd love to have you on board.

re: "Vulgar" Libertarianism and Voluntary Socialism

Neutrinoide — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 07:36:25 GMT

Try the audio book of UPB it is entertaining.

re: "Vulgar" Libertarianism and Voluntary Socialism

Brainpolice — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 05:35:48 GMT

Will do. I saw that you were critiqueing Molyneux's "universally preferable behavior". I haven't gotten the book yet myself, so I can't make much of an informed comment. I do think that I might get the basic gist of it from being around his forum and listening to his podcasts though.

re: "Vulgar" Libertarianism and Voluntary Socialism

Donny with an A — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 09:11:39 GMT

Excellent post! Good to know there are others out there; feel free to drop me a line if you'd like some feedback on something you're thinking about, or if you're interested in collaborating on anything. I guess I should finish up the Molyneux thing first...

re: "Vulgar" Libertarianism and Voluntary Socialism

Steve1776 — Sun, 30 Dec 2007 19:48:33 GMT

I consider myself to be a libertarian. My beliefs can be summed up in the following statements.

Freedom means that you have the right to do anything you want so long as you do not interfere with the rights of another and do not cause harm or injury or loss to another person or their property. If there is no victim there is no crime. Until I cause harm to another person or his property it is none of the government's business what I do.

Government (national) should do four things and four things only.

1 Handle foreign affairs (this includes national defense).

2 Maintain and assure the free, efficient flow of commerce between the states. This does not give the government the right to restrict or prohibit any article of commerce that does not pose an immediate safety threat. Nor shall the government have any authority over anything that is not being shipped in interstate commerce. Their authority is only while the article of interstate commerce is actually in transit.

3 Mediate disputes between the states.

4 LEAVE ME ALONE!!!

The state should set minimum standards for education, drinking water, food safety, traffic, product safety & liability and mediate disputes between cities and counties. Maintain the main highways. Where it is necessary for the public safety, and ONLY were it is necessary for the public safety, the state may require a license after the person or business has demonstrated they have the necessary education or safe guards. Once a license is issued it remains in effect until revoked. No expiration date. (There is no reason you have to renew your business license for example.) The state may not use the license process for the purpose of revenue enhancement or to protect a business from competition. (Why does a barber need a license?) And LEAVE ME ALONE!!!

The counties should handle law enforcement and education. No city police. They should also handle the emergency services (fire, ambulance, rescue, etc.). Maintain the county roads and streets. And LEAVE ME ALONE!!!

The cities can handle trash pickup, water and sewer. And LEAVE ME ALONE!!!

None of the government branches or agencies should regulate or interfere in a business unless that business is committing fraud or is operated in an unsafe manner.