What a libertarian society might look like
Sunday, January 03, 2010
Read the left-wing blogs and you will be struck by the strangeness of their ideas about libertarianism. They assume for example that because libertarians are concerned about the corrosive effects of welfarism, we are cold and heartless. For example, here is "Flying Rodent" commenting recently on this post at Pickled Politics:
I have two major problems with libertarianism, especially in its hysteric internet form. Mainly that’s because, historically, libertarians almost always side with the interests of “the individual” – by which they mean “the wealthy” rather than everyone. Look at their attitude to charities, if you want an example – they claim to only despise “fake charities,” but clearly hate the entire concept of charity itself.
It would be entirely fair to reduce the blogging libertarian’s philosophy to a mortal dread that somebody, somewhere is nibbling on a hunk of government cheese at their expense. This does not bode well for anyone with an interest in equality.
Forget for a second the straw men in his arguments. He conflates "the individual" with "the wealthy" and projects that onto his enemies. His view that libertarians hate charity itself merely reveals that, for such people, the cuckoo of welfarism has pushed all other ideas of community out of the nest. One of the saddest effects of the welfare state has been to make "charity" such a dirty word that it was easy for government to subvert it.
This clip (H/T Subrosa) shows a genuinely charitable response to a neighbour in trouble. No caring socialists or rich internet libertarians were harmed in the making of this film.
They assume for example that because libertarians are concerned about the corrosive effects of welfarism, we are cold and heartless.
Well, that's just like, your opinion, man.
Posted by: FlyingRodent | Sunday, January 24, 2010 at 03:40 AM
"Look at their attitude to charities, if you want an example – they claim to only despise “fake charities,” but clearly hate the entire concept of charity itself."
Really?
I am a member of the LPUK, and I would say that my attitude to charities is pretty positive. And I put my money where my mouth is. My taxable income last year was about £30,000. My wife's was about £20,000. We gave about £10,000 to charity. That is roughly 20% of our income.
And that was not an exceptional year for us. We give every year, because we believe in charity. And we are prepared to put our money where our mouth is.
But I guess that you can't stop ignoramuses pontificating about libertarians.
Posted by: Anonymous | Tuesday, January 12, 2010 at 07:38 PM
The guy is pretty fuzzy when it comes to thinking straight.
Fake charities are contemptible. Basically Pressure groups who push the State's propaganda line.
I think real charities are popular with Libertarians. It is groups of individuals providing something they think is necessary. Like maybe Air ambulances as an example, or shelter for the homeless.
Posted by: Moggsy | Monday, January 04, 2010 at 07:30 AM
James,
I agree.
I tried to make a positive contribution to that particular discussion, but I was totally ignored.
Posted by: Trooper Thompson | Sunday, January 03, 2010 at 11:10 PM
FR is a funny writer at times but he's no political heavyweight thinker.
Posted by: jameshigham | Sunday, January 03, 2010 at 02:50 PM