Introduction
Before I begin, I am not implying that all ''Left-Libertarians'' think this way, I am only saying the things I have heard some ''Left-Libertarians'' say about their critiques on Libertarianism and/or anarcho-capitalism.
Anarcho-capitalism -vs- Anarchy
A weird assumption about anarcho-capitalism is that we ignore all other forms of anarchism and suggest that all of society HAVE to be anarcho-capitalistic. I do not know where they get their information from but this is simply not true. In a Rothbard-Block way of anarchism, all people are free to choose to live however they want as long as they don't enable force or violence upon a person or their property. If a group of people want to start a ''commune'' in an anarcho-capitalistic society, they can. If that commune wants to advertise their way of life in billboards, they can! How does that violate the non aggression principal and property rights? Another example, if all one wants to do is be self-sufficient (ie make their own clothing,shelter, food) they should. If those self-sufficient people want to write books about being self-sufficient and sell them in book stores, they can! Now, I agree that anarcho-capitalism is the most efficient way to live, but having that belief does not mean that I ignore other forms of anarchism. Of course other forms of anarchism can exist in society, and even government, to think that they won't would be absurd.
Praxeology
Some “Left-Libertarians” claim to be Austrian Economists but most do not understand basic praxeology, which is a key belief in the Austrian School of economics. Some even question praxeology by asking such questions or saying statements like, “ How can all value scales be rational?” or “Value scales do not always satisfies human ends.” I know books like “Man, Economy, and State” and “Human Action” may look scary to read because of their length, but these statements and criticisms could be answered by reading these books.
Feminism And Environmentalism
We also get criticized for being anti-feminist and/or anti-environmentalist. Shame on us for not caring about our environment and women! Apparently, in our version of anarchy, we would take great pleasure in driving semis and beating women. But, seriously, this is another wrong assumption. Now, feminism used to be a great movement because the State claimed that women were basically second class citizens by not allowing them to own property, claim ownership over their own body, or denying them the right to vote. But as Christina Sommers said, modern feminism was becoming a movement filled with “female bullies.” Christina Sommers, by the way, is one of the best writers on feminism, I would recommend reading her books “Who Stole Feminism:How Women Have Betrayed Women” and “The War Against Boys: How Misguided Feminism Is Harming Our Young Men.” Sommers understands that women should not be superior to men or they shouldn't be second class citizens(ie men shouldn't be superior to women), THEY SHOULD BE EQUAL!!!! Another great writer on feminism is a fellow anarchist, Wendy McElroy. McElroy is another feminist that hates the modern feminist movement for about the same reason as Sommers. A fabulous book by her would be “Sexual Correctness: The Gender-Feminist Attack on Women.” Still, it puzzles me that we get an anti-feministic label. Libertarians follow the non aggression principal which applies to all people and not just one gender. I guess in the case of feminism, I am opposed to the mainstream feminist movement but I am not anti-feminist as some “Left Libertarians” would claim I am.
Some of these “Left-Libertarians” misunderstand the Rothbardian-Blockian view on the environment. This misunderstanding leads to them labeling us as being anti-environmentalists. Some assume that we are one of those groups that say, “ Screw the environment, it will take care of itself.” Trust me, I hate those kinds of people just as much as you do! I agree that the statement is nonsense. But I am also critical from the zero sum game advocates, such as ''the great'' Al Gore. If not taking Al Gore serious when he talks about the environment makes me anti-environment, then I guess I am a anti-environmentalist. The environment is best cured by private industry. For example, just look at what The Nature Conservancy is doing compared with public funded environmental programs. Then others say that we are anti-environmentialists because we would allow oil drilling, people owning property, tree cutting etc. Well if that is your definition or interpretation of being anti-environmentialist, then I guess I am one. But I think that we would have had found a better source of energy by now if the State wasn't so anti-market, for example, hemp energy.
Apoliticals That Use Political Spectrum
A few “Left-Libertarians” call themselves apolitical, yet they love to use the political spectrum. Instead of saying Rothbardian or libertarian, they would rather say left Rothbardian, Right Rothbardian, Left Libertarian, or Right Libertarian, way to be apolitical. I do not consider myself right libertarian, I consider myself Libertarian. I do not consider myself Right Rothbardian, I consider myself Rothbardian. The political spectrum is so screwed up, so why use it? Damn labels!
Libertarianism As A Cult
Well more specifically they consider that Rothbardian Libertarian has turned into a cult. This is also an argument the Objectivists bring up, they call us a cult, but how? Walter Block would consider Rothbard one of his biggest influences yet they disagree on abortion, slavery, capital punishment, etc. Robert Murphy and Walter Block are very different in views but yet they are both Rothbardians. That is not a cult attribute. We understand that people are people and we have different views.
Free Market?
I would just like to say that many of the “left Libertarians” are not pro-free market, they are pro-fair market. They rather rely on the neoclassical view fair trade rather than the Austrian view of trade in general. Even more so, some “Left-Libertarians” feel that it should be fair to have some sort of democratic system in the workforce, yet many are against voting, I do not see how wanting a democratic system and being anti-voting can go together. Democracy is a obvious failure when applied to the State, so why would Democracy be a success in a workforce?
Conclusion
These are only a few point that came up to mind. Again, I am not suggesting that all of “left Libertarians” think this way but these certainly apply to some of them.
My Blog: http://www.anarchico.net/
Production is 'anarchistic' - Ludwig von Mises
Isaac "Izzy" Marmolejo: Introduction Before I begin, I am not implying that all ''Left-Libertarians'' think this way, I am only saying the things I have heard some ''Left-Libertarians'' say about their critiques on Libertarianism and/or anarcho-capitalism. Anarcho-capitalism -vs- Anarchy "A weird assumption about anarcho-capitalism is that we ignore all other forms of anarchism and suggest that all of society HAVE to be anarcho-capitalistic. " That's pretty much implied. "If a group of people want to start a ''commune'' in an anarcho-capitalistic society," There's my point. You should really say in an anarchist society. Praxeology " but most do not understand basic praxeology," How so? Feminism And Environmentalism "We also get criticized for being anti-feminist and/or anti-environmentalist." Some are those but generally (from me) the criticism would be these issues are ignored or conflated with statism so that any feminism/environmentalism TENDS to be thought of as statism. "Sommers understands that women should not be superior to men or they shouldn't be second class citizens(ie men shouldn't be superior to women), THEY SHOULD BE EQUAL!!!! " I agree with you that feminism should argue for that.The left-libs I know feel the same. "This misunderstanding leads to them labeling us as being anti-environmentalists." I don't think their anti-environmental but ignore the issues or dismiss them as statist often. "Some assume that we are one of those groups that say, Screw the environment, it will take care of itself." To be fair ,some do take that attitude but that's not to be generalized I agree. "A few “Left-Libertarians” call themselves apolitical, yet they love to use the political spectrum." This isn't a valid criticism.Being apolitical means rejecting electoral politics as a strategy. A( there isn't one but many)political spectrum is a description. A way of identifying yourself with contrast and comparison. " I do not consider myself right libertarian, I consider myself Libertarian." Do you like Hoppe or Rockwell or Long and Carson? Based on this answer,it's obvious. Libertarianism As A Cult "Well more specifically they consider that Rothbardian Libertarian has turned into a cult. " I agree it's not a cult though some do seem to have those tendencies.Rather I'd say there's a strong sense of orthodoxy and clearly defined boundaries beyond which subjects are so taboo you'll get labeled a commie . Free Market? “left Libertarians” are not pro-free market, they are pro-fair market." 1. I'm not sure it's a true dichotomy. 2. We do favour a free market. " They rather rely on the neoclassical view fair trade" Which is? “Left-Libertarians” feel that it should be fair to have some sort of democratic system in the workforce, yet many are against voting," That's a non sequitur of a criticism. I favour workplace democracy to level the playing field between employer and employer.I think individuals should have control over decisions affecting their lives.I oppose voting because it makes it APPEAR you endorse statism,it's counterproductive and seems strange in light of what we know about the fixed interests and nature of the state.
"A weird assumption about anarcho-capitalism is that we ignore all other forms of anarchism and suggest that all of society HAVE to be anarcho-capitalistic. "
That's pretty much implied.
"If a group of people want to start a ''commune'' in an anarcho-capitalistic society,"
There's my point. You should really say in an anarchist society.
" but most do not understand basic praxeology,"
How so?
"We also get criticized for being anti-feminist and/or anti-environmentalist."
Some are those but generally (from me) the criticism would be these issues are ignored or conflated with statism so that any feminism/environmentalism TENDS to be thought of as statism.
"Sommers understands that women should not be superior to men or they shouldn't be second class citizens(ie men shouldn't be superior to women), THEY SHOULD BE EQUAL!!!! "
I agree with you that feminism should argue for that.The left-libs I know feel the same.
"This misunderstanding leads to them labeling us as being anti-environmentalists."
I don't think their anti-environmental but ignore the issues or dismiss them as statist often.
"Some assume that we are one of those groups that say, Screw the environment, it will take care of itself."
To be fair ,some do take that attitude but that's not to be generalized I agree.
"A few “Left-Libertarians” call themselves apolitical, yet they love to use the political spectrum."
This isn't a valid criticism.Being apolitical means rejecting electoral politics as a strategy. A( there isn't one but many)political spectrum is a description. A way of identifying yourself with contrast and comparison.
" I do not consider myself right libertarian, I consider myself Libertarian."
Do you like Hoppe or Rockwell or Long and Carson? Based on this answer,it's obvious.
"Well more specifically they consider that Rothbardian Libertarian has turned into a cult. "
I agree it's not a cult though some do seem to have those tendencies.Rather I'd say there's a strong sense of orthodoxy and clearly defined boundaries beyond which subjects are so taboo you'll get labeled a commie .
“left Libertarians” are not pro-free market, they are pro-fair market."
1. I'm not sure it's a true dichotomy.
2. We do favour a free market.
" They rather rely on the neoclassical view fair trade"
Which is?
“Left-Libertarians” feel that it should be fair to have some sort of democratic system in the workforce, yet many are against voting,"
That's a non sequitur of a criticism. I favour workplace democracy to level the playing field between employer and employer.I think individuals should have control over decisions affecting their lives.I oppose voting because it makes it APPEAR you endorse statism,it's counterproductive and seems strange in light of what we know about the fixed interests and nature of the state.
I don't really want to comment or read anything here.I have near zero in common with many of you.I may return periodically when there's something you need to know.
Near Mutualist/Libertarian Socialist.
what do you mean by that?
I do want to call it just anarchy but i have to stick with the anarcho-capitalistic label because most other anarchists oppose anarcho-capitalism as being anarchy, so i have to use the term in order for some to get my point.
how so?
some ask basic questions about praxeology that should be clear if they read a book on praxeology...
The mainstream feminist movement and the mainstream environmentalist movement is Statist, but certain individuals that are feminist or environmentalist are not. There are environmentalists that speak against the environmentalist movement and there are feminists that speak out against the feminist movement.
Do you like Hoppe or Rockwell or Long and Carson? Based on this answer,it's obvious
I do not regard myself as a Hoppe, Rockwell, Long, or Carson follower... I do like Hoppe's writing on "The Private Production of Denfense" but that is talking about private defense and not Libertarianism.
..to level the playing field between employer and employer
right there you just proved, to me anyway, that you support fair market and not free market...
Nice Post Izzy. That sums up how I feel about Market Anarchy very well. And Scott, even though I don't agree with alot of the things you've said I respect you taking the time to put your "Left Libertarian" beliefs out there. I will say this though. I personally don't have a problem with voluntaryist anarcho-socialists,communists,sydicalists,or any other ist as long as the people joining these "societies" are doing it voluntarily. I do have a problem with the coercive variety however.
"It is easy to be conspicuously 'compassionate' if others are being forced to pay the cost." - Murray N. Rothbard.
Was this a joke?
the political spectrum is screwed up, that is no joke
Well i meant labels like left or right... although i can be critical about labels in general. for example, i would like to consider Austrian Economics, just Economics or anarcho-capitalism, just anarchy but then if you do that, you might confuse some readers. This is kind of like Kierkegaard's thought on the Christianity label, where in some occasions, instead of specifically saying Christianity, he would just say, broadly, faith.
Totally agree with you there Isaac, nice mention of Christina Sommers. I thought Scott F wrote this when I started reading it because of the similar avatars
Freedom has always been the only route to progress.