“Despotism may be the only organisational alternative to the political structure that we observe.”

So sayeth (or saideth, since he's deceased) a proponent of libertarianism taken to the utmost - my money and what I do with it ain't none of the government's business, and freedom is the right of the rich to lord it over the poor (in essence, my right to swing my fist only ends if you can afford to sue me for assault, pleb).

Given, however, that he was heavily backed by one of the Kochs (if there was ever a case for nominative determinism, well, there it sits!) we should probably take a moment to reflect on his world view and how best to smack anyone agreeing with it in the nuts counter it.

https://www.theguardian.com/comment...james-mcgill-buchanan-totalitarian-capitalism

Lunacy.

And yet, these ideas hold a lot of sway in the GOP.

It's funny how some of you all can claim that, for example, the thugs spreading violence in the street in the name of social justice don't represent what you laughingly call "progressivism," yet you'll turn around and post something like this as if it somehow represents libertarianism.

Shut up.

Thugs spreading violence in the street are an issue, but they aren't gonna make any real changes. These fuckers are trying to undermine the democratic process and with millions of dollars behind them.

They don't, thanks for making my point for me.

matthunter- Hey, look, hard proof that the founders of your intellectual movement were a pack of Nazis.

Captain X- HEY!! LOOK OVER THERE!!

See post 11.

Democracy--real democracy--isn't a stable form of government. It degenerates into factions dedicated to stealing from everyone else. And no one creates anything in a world where things can just be taken by government fiat.

That's not to say there are no problems with absolute laissez faire capitalism, but that's never really been on offer. The state has always had some level of intervention in the economy. Even so, capitalism has produced the most prosperity for the most people. Capitalism has raised literally billions of people out of poverty; no government program can claim that (unless you count government allowing free market economic activity as a program).

The best social organization is what we have: (1) a democratic republic, where representatives elected by the people can debate policy, moderating popular passions; (2) a free market economy, where producers can profit by producing things of value to society and ownership rights are firmly established; and (3) Constitutionally limited government, where the state's power are well-defined, institutions of government serve to check and balance each other, and the state is obligated to uphold individual rights.

I don't think there are credible contenders to any of these three principles. Everywhere that does one or more of these things differently is a place you probably wouldn't want to live.

What about them? I'm making fun of the double-think on display here.

Except that it's nothing of the kind.

From the article:

Libertarians practically worship Milton Friedman. If this guy views him as a "sellout," then he isn't much of a libertarian. It is entertaining seeing the double-think at work, though.

Isn't it a little too soon for the No True Scotsman defense?

I, for one, and not surprised at all to see you defend double-think.

And I for one am not at all surprised that you’ve completely misunderstood the conversation.

But then one can expect that from someone who believes all libertarians must be in lock-step agreement that Milton Friedman is God.

Then you're gonna wanna take him out, cuz he's leading the charge, and carrying your banner while he does it.
Washing your hands of him will only get you clean hands for when you carry the coffin of "true libertarianism".

He isn't libertarian, no matter how much you want him to be so you can try to poke fun. Keep engaging in that double-think.

My lot? There we go again with that double-think. I've only painted the violent thugs as violent thugs, and pointed out that they are very much like the fascists they claim to be opposed to through their attitudes and use of the same tactics.

Except that government getting involved with it has lead to cronyism and the creation and enforcement of monopolies. You know, the stuff all the people claiming to be against capitalism complain about.

Though, to be fair, no true Scotsman keeps his Koch concealed.