Nobody Expects the Spanish Inquisition

Amongst our weaponry are such diverse elements as fear, surprise, ruthless efficiency, an almost fanatical devotion to anarchy, and nice red uniforms!

I have been noticing an increasing amount of radicalization of these forums since they started where any viewpoint that diverges even a little from the Party Line is shouted down and dismissed instead of taken as a starting point for a fruitful discussion.

This bothers me a bit since the stated purpose of the LvMI is towards "advancing the scholarship of liberty in the tradition of the Austrian School".

While I do realize that polarization is happening in society at large (if you believe the liberal media's explanation of how Dubya got elected to a second term while the obviously left-leaning commentators didn't know a single person who voted for him) but in a place who's goal is to promote Liberty you would think things would be a little different.

One would also think that an extremely marginalized group in The Grand Scheme of Things would try to reach out to provide understanding to people who's impression of anarchists is of bomb wielding 'terrorists' from the '30s trying to violently overthrow the government in league with the communists or whatever group is conveniently being demonized at the time.

But who am I to judge since I'm not even a bona fide libertarian.

Anonymous Coward:

I have been noticing an increasing amount of radicalization of these forums since they started where any viewpoint that diverges even a little from the Party Line is shouted down and dismissed instead of taken as a starting point for a fruitful discussion.

You are referring to the An-Cap purists? It can be a bit tiring and there is always the danger of the forum turning into one big circlejerk. Especially if certain members manage to drive out dissent.

My gripe is that there is too little discussion about economics. I have nothing against the political discussions, but I would like to see more economics threads. They should dedicate a sub-forum for economic news or something. It might stir up more discussion on top of the mainly theoretical discussions going on at the moment.

You are referring to the An-Cap purists?

I don't identify as an an-cap. In either case, the charge of "purism" is often leveled by precisely those who are so pragmatic or moderate that they have no principles left. Any principled opposition to watering the political philosophy down is denounced as "purism".

Especially if certain members manage to drive out dissent.

Actually dissent is precisely what I'm engaging in. The exact opposite attitude, telling me and others to just shut up and go along with the consensus here, would be to drive out dissent.

Anonymous coward, is your comment about the inquisition a self-referencing comment ?

Brainpolice:

the charge of "purism" is often leveled by precisely those who are so pragmatic or moderate that they have no principles left. Any principled opposition to watering the political philosophy down is denounced as "purism".

By purism I don't mean principled positions. I'm talking about the actions of some, that in my opinion, go beyond policy discussions into personal territory. I know that is the standard fair on online discussion boards, but it is sad to see it here.

Brainpolice:

Actually dissent is precisely what I'm engaging in. The exact opposite attitude, telling me and others to just shut up and go along with the consensus here, would be to drive out dissent.

I wasn't referring to you, if you got that impression.

Libertas est Veritas:

You are referring to the An-Cap purists?

Would you mind giving some examples ? Who are you classifying as 'An-Cap' purists ?

Maybe part of the inquisition is this sort of hazy accusations against unnamed 'dissenters' ?

 I agree with Brainpolice, especially with the current situation of the libertarian movement.

Juan:

Would you mind giving some examples ? Who are you classifying as 'An-Cap' purists ?

Maybe part of the inquisition is this sort of hazy accusations against unnamed 'dissenters' ?

Ugh. I'm not going to start naming names. There is no point to that.

All I meant was that some people here, as is customary on online forums, are very testy and aggressive in their beliefs, to the point of personal insults. But if you have seen no such activity, then just assume I'm insane and go about your day.

Also, I wasn't making accusations against dissenters. I was making accusations of driving out dissenters, as An-Cap is the dominant theme here.

My gripe is that there is too little discussion about economics. I have nothing against the political discussions, but I would like to see more economics threads.

Agreed! And please - not just monetary economics!

Honestly, I've gotten to the stage where I ignore several threads - maybe the majority of them - in a day, because they degenerate into fights over semantics and purism - and I am an anarcho-capitalist purist as it is.

-Jon

Jon Irenicus:

And please - not just monetary economics!

Jon Irenicus:

Honestly, I've gotten to the stage where I ignore several threads - maybe the majority of them - in a day, because they degenerate into fights over semantics and purism

Agreed on both accounts.