Debate Politics Forums - View Single Post

Australianlibertarian · 07-20-08, 06:35 AM

Interesting topic.

To be honest I am probably a moderate libertarian, maybe even weak by American standards. I honestly believe that free-markets are a good thing, as they can encourage economic growth. But I do not see free-market capitalism as the fix all solution.

For example, I do believe in government education, funding of universities, universal health care, environmental and work place relations protection systems, public transport.

Why? Because many hard core libertarians or 'hard' classic liberals seem to ignore that many decisions that are made by people are not rational, but emotive, instinctive or even collective. It seems that many anarcho-capitalists seem to ignore market failures or externalities.

In short and without babbling on, universal health care, universal education or not perfect, but societies would be a lot worse off without them. Do I trust companies or individuals to comply with environmental standards? No not really, must companies wouldn't give a crap. Greed can sometimes outweigh moral or equitable judgments.

Do I want trade barriers, government subsidies and government provided corporate welfare to end. Absolutely. Do I want to live in a hard classical libertarian society. HELL NO.

07-20-08, 06:35 AM	#4 (permalink)
Australianlibertarian Advisor Join Date: Jul 2005 Last Online: 11-18-08 03:07 AM Location: Geelong, Australia Posts: 583 Thanks: 27 Thanked 114 Times in 69 Posts Lean: Libertarian Gender: Current Mood:	Re: 'Free market' extremists Interesting topic. To be honest I am probably a moderate libertarian, maybe even weak by American standards. I honestly believe that free-markets are a good thing, as they can encourage economic growth. But I do not see free-market capitalism as the fix all solution. For example, I do believe in government education, funding of universities, universal health care, environmental and work place relations protection systems, public transport. Why? Because many hard core libertarians or 'hard' classic liberals seem to ignore that many decisions that are made by people are not rational, but emotive, instinctive or even collective. It seems that many anarcho-capitalists seem to ignore market failures or externalities. In short and without babbling on, universal health care, universal education or not perfect, but societies would be a lot worse off without them. Do I trust companies or individuals to comply with environmental standards? No not really, must companies wouldn't give a crap. Greed can sometimes outweigh moral or equitable judgments. Do I want trade barriers, government subsidies and government provided corporate welfare to end. Absolutely. Do I want to live in a hard classical libertarian society. HELL NO. __________________ I like liberals because they believe in moral freedoms. I like fiscal conservatives because they believe in financial freedoms. The problem is; I just don't like the rest of their policies! Libertarian all the way!