[quote]LIFTICVSMAXIMVS wrote:
The complexity lies in the fact that what you really want is not realistic.
[/quote]
No, sir. The complexity is that the solution to this problem cannot be reduced to simplified dogma…wheter that be from libertarians or statists. Do you really think that the world would be a better place (for everybody) if we just dismantled governments and let the market decide everything? Is it that simple?
[quote]
You want equality: there is no such thing.
You want fairness: life is not fair.
You want egalitarianism: this defies individual human intuition.
You cannot mandate these ideas because it requires theft and coercion which goes against our only natural right.
Government has no rights – only individuals do.[/quote]
Let’s see. I suppose the African slaves in this country should have just contented themselves with the words, “life is not fair”. Or for that matter, any other exploited people. Is that what you are saying?
Now, we live in a society of diverse people. Under extraordinary circumstances, people may need to resort to violence to counter their oppression; however, one would hope in normal circumstances that they could have recourse to some instrument to settle issues peaceably. That would be a role of government. No? Or do you propose that we return to the law of the jungle?
I am not going to argue that government is a wonderful thing. It’s not. It is a necessary evil. Unless you agree with Rousseau that people are fundamentally good (I don’t…by almost any definition of good) then there must be some mechanism in place to mediate between various groups. No?
Very few people are going to propose absolute egalitarianism. I am not. So please do not assume that just because I do want some fairness, some equality that I want everybody (no matter what their contribution or lack thereof) that I think everyone should be remunerated the same. I don’t think that.
By the way, do I believe in a command economy? No! I can understand how someone in the 19th century-based upon mechanistic determinism-might have believed that a rational economy, a planned economy might work…but it doesn’t. We have history to prove that and we now have complexity/chaos theory to demonstrate why that’s untenable. However, I think it is also folly to go to the opposite extreme and propose that the free market/laissez-faire is the solution to everything. We have a historical precedent for that as well. A lot of people suffered.
Regardless of what you or I think, people will revolt against oppression. Everybody wants to be treated fairly. That’s human nature. That’s not some idea I am imposing upon them. The problem is that with globalization, capital can just escape. The natives get angry over here, we just pull up and take our factory/work over there. Out the window goes worker’s rights, safety, healthy environmental practices, etc.
