I've been wondering about these two items for a while from a libertarian standpoint. What are the most common libertarian stance on licensing and use of the radio spectrum? In general, I prefer to see the market handle just about everything, with VERY few exceptions. I've recently gotten involved in ham radio and can see the useful spectrum for radio usage of all types. Without licensing or at least some sort of officual rule-making, I could see it becoming a complete mess. My best crack at a libertarian response is that enough voluntary agreements might solve the problem better than a government solution? What about prescription antiobiotics. I would prefer to see a completely free markets in medicines on both the supply and demand sides. But there is an argument that if antibiotics are abused and/or used incorrectly, they will grow the populations of antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria to the detriment of us all. How should libertarians handle these issues? Don't get me wrong, I'm VERY sympathetic to the libertarian ideals. Just wondering with how best to deal with some of the apparently troublesome cases. Thanks in advance, Chris http://pretenseofknowledge.com/
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speedmaster:My best crack at a libertarian response is that enough voluntary agreements might solve the problem better than a government solution?
Here was a previous topic asking about the radio spectrum:
http://mises.org/Community/forums/t/23565.aspx
speedmaster:But there is an argument that if antibiotics are abused and/or used incorrectly, they will grow the populations of antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria to the detriment of us all.
What is a monopoly going to do about it?
Would/Could these new strains come about even with a monopoly in place?
Is it worth all of the imposed costs? How do you know? Is there a parallel universe in which this can be tested?
speedmaster:How should libertarians handle these issues? Don't get me wrong, I'm VERY sympathetic to the libertarian ideals. Just wondering with how best to deal with some of the apparently troublesome cases.
I usually look upon the wise words of Walter "Moderate" Block: "If it moves, privatize it. If it doesn't move, privatize it. Since ultimately everything either moves or it doesn't, privatize everything."
speedmaster:I've been wondering about these two items for a while from a libertarian standpoint. What are the most common libertarian stance on licensing and use of the radio spectrum? In general, I prefer to see the market handle just about everything, with VERY few exceptions. I've recently gotten involved in ham radio and can see the useful spectrum for radio usage of all types. Without licensing or at least some sort of officual rule-making, I could see it becoming a complete mess. My best crack at a libertarian response is that enough voluntary agreements might solve the problem better than a government solution?
It was this paper that enlightened me about how property rights in radio broadcasting could - and did - develop in the absence of government licensing. In short, specific broadcast frequency and power ranges would be homesteaded in a fairly analogous fashion to how land can be homesteaded. As far as being "a complete mess", let me ask you: do you think the internet is a complete mess? :P
speedmaster:What about prescription antiobiotics. I would prefer to see a completely free markets in medicines on both the supply and demand sides. But there is an argument that if antibiotics are abused and/or used incorrectly, they will grow the populations of antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria to the detriment of us all.
One of the big pushers of antibiotics abuse has been government regulation in healthcare. Many common infections, such as Streptococcus (a.k.a. "strep throat"), are routinely treated with them. Such treatment is typically covered by medical insurance. This is akin to car insurance covering oil changes. There seems to be little or no incentive for people to refuse antibiotics under such circumstances.
On the other hand, truly free enterprise in medicine would mean no prescriptions, so antibiotics could be sold over-the-counter. However, if they're so commonplace, it's doubtful (IMO) that they'd be covered by medical insurance. The relative cost of antibiotics may well rise as a result, despite the fact that they could be sold without prescriptions.
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I had a small debate with a tech-savvy friend of mine a while back and I got floored on the frequency/broadband issue he brought up. I sent him an email to the link above a bit ago and I have yet to here his response.
Just goes to show sometimes you need to know more than just basic Libertarian theory to convince someone...