https://archive.freecapitalists.org:443/forums/8.aspxDiscussion of political theory.enCommunityServer 2008.5 SP2 (Build: 40407.4157)https://archive.freecapitalists.org:443/forums/thread/299856.aspxFri, 05 Feb 2010 17:22:09 GMT944abf2b-d1be-4bf2-990d-438cb0e377e9:299856SilentXtarian0https://archive.freecapitalists.org:443/forums/thread/299856.aspxhttps://archive.freecapitalists.org:443/forums/commentrss.aspx?SectionID=8&PostID=299856<p>Can anyone answer my questions?&nbsp; I would like them answered please.&nbsp; I just don&#39;t see how a liberal government unless seriously contrained by a division of powers would not lead to statism... unless you expect the government to be wholly good.&nbsp; So I like it in theory... and I&#39;m sure there are some answers to some of my questions... but I just am unsure about a few things.&nbsp; </p><div style="clear:both;"></div>https://archive.freecapitalists.org:443/forums/thread/299751.aspxFri, 05 Feb 2010 04:57:36 GMT944abf2b-d1be-4bf2-990d-438cb0e377e9:299751SilentXtarian0https://archive.freecapitalists.org:443/forums/thread/299751.aspxhttps://archive.freecapitalists.org:443/forums/commentrss.aspx?SectionID=8&PostID=299751<p>I&#39;ve been thinking about this since I read the book&nbsp;<span style="text-decoration:underline;">Liberalism</span>. &nbsp;I shouldn&#39;t even have to call it classical liberalism. &nbsp;I hate how liberalism has become a dirty word these days.</p> <p>To me, it seems that the liberal ideology wishes to regulate only to a minimum. &nbsp;It advocates for somewhat of a minarchist state and for limits on governmental powers. &nbsp;</p> <p>Unlike the Republicans, liberals would allow for some legislation- unless I have this wrong- with regards to criminal law. &nbsp;Libertarians wish for everything to be done in the private sector. &nbsp;The liberal holds that this view is unattainable and that we have to have a state to provide justice for people. &nbsp;</p> <p>Libertarians hold that individuals have natural rights. &nbsp;You don&#39;t need a constitution to provide such things. &nbsp;My understanding is that the liberal would say you do need a constitution otherwise the state would probably just do whatever it wanted... and you would have no guarantee as to what would happen to you.</p> <p>&nbsp;Liberals want to protect people from criminals... and from wrong-doers. &nbsp;They want to protect society as Ludwig Von Mises says from the trouble-makers who would destroy society if left unchecked. &nbsp;</p> <p>My first question is- in accordance to the liberal view- what laws would they support? &nbsp;What laws would they support? &nbsp;Like recently Republicans voted against an anti-Rape bill. &nbsp;A liberal would support such a bill, correct? &nbsp;</p> <p>My second question: &nbsp;Just how many laws would they support? &nbsp;</p> <p>And my third question is- &nbsp;liberals wish to intervene on the rights of individuals as minimal as possible.. &nbsp;So... people could do drugs, drinking, and gambling, etc. &nbsp;People could protest as they wished as long as they didn&#39;t destroy property. &nbsp;</p> <p>My fourth question is how would liberals ensure that the state won&#39;t infringe on our rights? &nbsp;I guess I&#39;m asking.... is how do you guarantee that those rights are permanent? &nbsp;You can only get people to be liberal and nations to be liberal for so long.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>I personally like the liberal philosophy (I however consider myself in the middle of liberalism and libertarianism for a reason, which I am about to give). &nbsp;But I&#39;m inclined to think that it could lead to really big government unless there aren&#39;t limits on the government of a liberal philosophy with regards to its legislative and judicial branch. &nbsp;I would like my questions answered. &nbsp;I just am unclear about how much government a liberal would support. &nbsp;</p><div style="clear:both;"></div>