Libertarianism=Anarchism
Which are the libertarian principles? The word libertarianism comes from the the English word liberty. Principled libertarianism is usually based on the Lockean trinity of rights: the right to life, liberty and property, and many libertarians also refer to the non-aggression principle (NAP), which means that you are not allowed to initiate use of force against others. You are, however, according to the NAP, allowed to use force to defend yourself and others, and in case of restitution.
Which are the anarchist principles? The word anarchism comes from the ancient Greek words an arkos, which means "no ruler". From what I understand, the basic anarchist principles are that no force and no fraud should be allowed.
Both libertarian and anarchist principles leads to the same conclusion: the right of individuals to make agreements, based on their own free will.
The effects of this simple conclusion are not easily understood, neither by those who call themselves anarchist, nor by those who call themselves libertarians. Many anarchists fail to understand that the right to make agreements means that there will capitalistic forms of production in an anarchy, i.e. firms, bosses and employees. At the same time, many libertarians fail to see that said right means that the state is an illegal institution that must be abolished, and that without state regulations of the market, there would be more competition from small firms against bigger corporations, more competition for labor, and that that in turn would drive wages up.
The way I see it, libertarians must be anarchists, and anarchists must be libertarians.
Which are the anarchist principles? The word anarchism comes from the ancient Greek words an arkos, which means "no ruler". From what I understand, the basic anarchist principles are that no force and no fraud should be allowed.
Both libertarian and anarchist principles leads to the same conclusion: the right of individuals to make agreements, based on their own free will.
The effects of this simple conclusion are not easily understood, neither by those who call themselves anarchist, nor by those who call themselves libertarians. Many anarchists fail to understand that the right to make agreements means that there will capitalistic forms of production in an anarchy, i.e. firms, bosses and employees. At the same time, many libertarians fail to see that said right means that the state is an illegal institution that must be abolished, and that without state regulations of the market, there would be more competition from small firms against bigger corporations, more competition for labor, and that that in turn would drive wages up.
The way I see it, libertarians must be anarchists, and anarchists must be libertarians.
Labels: anarchism, force, fraud, John Locke, libertarianism, rights, the market, the state
posted by Johan R. Sjöberg at 9:31 AM
2 Comments:
I think you have maybe hit upon the point that a lot of people understand capitalism operationally, but not conceptually. In other words they are able to carry out the processes of capitalism, but they do not really understand why it works or the principles it is based on. Therefore, they are unable understand the dangers of restricting capitalism to achieve their own ends, even as they reap it's benefits.
On the other hand, it also depends on what you mean by using the word "capitalism". The way anarcho-capitalists use said word, it is supposed to mean a free and unregulated (from government) market. The problem is that many ancaps seem to confuse this with supporting the corporations of today, of whom many are in bed with government, living through government protection and/or subsidies. I believe that a truly free market would change business for all, and it would end the so-called corporate government.
For one thing, there would be no government... which inspires me to write a few words "On who benefits from the state".
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