RE: How to identify a libertarian hypocrite

Posted on: August 23, 2017 at 12:55:41 CT

None of these are tough questions:

Are unions, political parties, elections, and social movements like Occupy examples of “spontaneous order”—and if not, why not?

Unions certainly can be, as well as other social movements. But the government/central order is the opposite of spontaneous order. So, political parties, elections, and social movements aimed at political power are not examples of spontaneous order. They are affronts to spontaneous order, as they seek to supplant the spontaneous order with the bureaucratic whims of those "elected".

Is a libertarian willing to admit that production is the result of many forces, each of which should be recognized and rewarded?

Yes. Production is the result of natural resources, land, capital goods, and labor being mixed together in billions (if not trillions) of ways in a spontaneous division of labor among free acting people.

Is our libertarian willing to acknowledge that workers who bargain for their services, individually and collectively, are also employing market forces?

Yes, of course.

Is our libertarian willing to admit that a “free market” needs regulation?

No. Central govt. regulation is not needed, and is in fact contrary to a "free market". If you mean spontaneous regulation that arises from people acting freely, then sure?

Does our libertarian believe in democracy? If yes, explain what’s wrong with governments that regulate.

No. Democracy is tyranny of the majority. Democracy often means that the majority votes to violate the personal and property rights of other individuals. There is nothing defensible about such an arrangement.

Does our libertarian use wealth that wouldn’t exist without government in order to preach against the role of government?

No. Trick question? Government doesn't create any wealth. It steals wealth, and it destroys wealth.

Does our libertarian reject any and all government protection for his intellectual property?

Yes.

Does our libertarian recognize that democracy is a form of marketplace?

Democracy is not a form of marketplace. Markets are where people voluntarily exchange property rights. Democracy is often the vehicle to violate property rights.

Does our libertarian recognize that large corporations are a threat to our freedoms?

Corporations are a creation of government, and protected by the government's "laws". So, check your premise.

Does he think that Rand was off the mark on this one, or does he agree that historical figures like King and Gandhi were “parasites”?

There is some context missing in this article. If someone has a voluntarily dependent relationship, then that is not parasitism. But if they seek to force involuntary people to fund their dependency, then yes, that person is a parasite by definition.

If you believe in the free market, why weren’t you willing to accept as final the judgment against libertarianism rendered decades ago in the free and unfettered marketplace of ideas?

What final judgment is this referencing? Can you provide more information on this?