*I've only been studying Austrain economics since the spring, so please forgive my ignorance.* While I feel I can easily defend the principles of the free market, and I can easily explain how capitalism and corporatism are not the same thing, I'm at a bit of loss when trying to explain in what ways corporatism could be reduced or eliminated in America. What ideas do you guys have?
Get rid of the government.
Haha, well I've actually used that reply, after reading For a New Liberty. Any ideas for people who have knee-jerk reactions to the idea of a stateless society though? While I lean pretty strongly toward the anarcho-capitalist ideology, I'd be interested in hearing minarchist ideas. When discussing the problem with friends (who have little to no understanding of Austrian economics), "get rid of the government" isn't usually accepted as a feasible answer.
Well, states will always produce problems; even very tiny weak ones have some control over law enforcement and property bounding so they are going to produce interventionist effects in markets.
But, that problem aside, the major things you could do are:
Separation of Commerce and State.
I think we need to PRIVATIZE EVERYTHING!
In all practicality, a stateless society happening anytime soon is very very low. So what is the harm in pushing for a total stateless society? At the very worst, you will inspire politicians to steal less. At the very best, you inspire a tremendous social movement to enact quite possibly the most ethically run society on the planet. .
Well, the stateless answer is the only real solution, but you can always just do what someone above said regarding the separation of commerce and state completely. No regulations, no subsidies, just voluntary accrediation services (if your friends argue for the FDA and stuff but you don't want to overwhelm them). Then at least medicines can be approved by the FDA if they're worried about health issues, yet it will still be legal for un-approved ones to be sold, etc. for people who can't afford other medicines.
Check out Lew Rockwell's 30 Day Plan.
But, that problem aside, the major things you could do are: Eliminate the Federal Reserve and the banking regulations which channel money into politically connected businesses. Get rid of anti-trust laws, labor regulations and licensing that raise the cost of entry for competitors. Reduce or eliminate tariffs which artificially raise revenues of companies in the country and divert resources to them. Denationalize the roads and inspection agencies which put the cost of transportation and inspection on the backs of the tax-payers. Abolish government schools and stop subsidizing higher education education which put the costs of educating a corporatist-managerial-high technology workforce onto the public.
I fell like I have heard this somewhere...
It didn't work out so well then either
In States a fresh law is looked upon as a remedy for evil. Instead of themselves altering what is bad, people begin by demanding a law to alter it. ... In short, a law everywhere and for everything!
~Peter Kropotkin
Start here:
http://www.conservativenannystate.org/
Policy Recommendations
:D