Political Theory

Re: "Maoist": anarcho-capitalism leads to genocide

Kakugo — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 08:09:56 GMT

He's wearing a TIE! That's a symbol of bourgeoise decadence! He should be tried by a popular court and made repent for his mistakes.

Re: "Maoist": anarcho-capitalism leads to genocide

Raian — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 07:32:07 GMT

Like nearly everyone else condemning the lack of an internationally-recognized state in Somalia, our Maoist friend seems to forget that before 1991, Somalia had Siad Barre. Barre's regime was so corrupt, incompetent and brutal that apparently, the situation that exists in Somalia today is somewhat preferable. I would recommend our Maoist friend read Rothbard's "Doing God's Work" and "Anarchy in Somalia" by Robert P. Murphy. Additionally, I was amused by his comment that starving Somalis traveled across the border to Ethiopia, known so well to those of us in the West for its tragic famine, in order to secure food. Well, who imposed the famine on Ethiopia? It was none other than the ardent Marxist-Leninist Mengistu, who know resides comfortably in ex-Rhodesia.

I'll also add the easy argument: is Somalia a worse place to live than Ethiopia under the Derg? Kampuchea under Pol Pot? North Korea under the Kims? It would seem that even with the semi-random violence, Somalia is still by many magitudes a far safer place to live than any socialist regime where violence is organized and systemic.

Re: "Maoist": anarcho-capitalism leads to genocide

Clayton — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 05:04:55 GMT

Hunter gatherers were the only capitalist societies to ever exist.

You've stated precisely the exact opposite of the case in fact. By definition, hunter-gatherers were not capitalists. Capitalism began with the advent of capital accumulation, that is, deferred consumption. The hunter-gatherers lived hand-to-mouth. They could not defer consumption which is why it took so long for humans to escape the hunger-gatherer condition and enter a condition of increasing abundance.

Clayton -

Re: "Maoist": anarcho-capitalism leads to genocide

Clayton — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 05:00:31 GMT

Somalis are not free-market fundamentalists. The Somali on the street wouldn't have a clue what the hell this guy was going on about.

The Mises Institute does not hold up Somalia as an example of anything, let alone as a "shining example of free-market capitalism."

The video's denigration of Somali culture is borderline racist and exhibits the same ignorant, sweeping generalizations typical of 19th-century colonial rhetoric regarding the "dark souls of Africa." While Somalia is in terrible straits and many Somalis are suffering horrible conditions of starvation and fear, it is ridiculous to suggest (because of the first para above) that this is the result of free-market fundamentalism in Somali culture.

We actually can learn a lot from Somali culture and we (the developed world) would do well to study the Somalis and learn from them. They are unique in that, despite being subjugated by over a century of brutal European colonialism and despite centuries of Islamic infiltration, their ancient law system, Xeer, has remained intact and survives to this day. Somali culture is badass, in this regard, and deserves respect.

Somali law is a system of customary law, unlike modern national, statutory law systems that are administered by a central monopolist of law courts. Somali law is not unique in this. English common law, for example, is a system of customary law used all over the world, even in certain areas in Dubai. However, what makes Somali law unique is its resilience in the face of determined attempts at subjugation by external powers and internal traitors. I don't think we yet understand why the Somalis have such a resilient law system.

In all, a pretty shitty video.

Clayton -

Re: "Maoist": anarcho-capitalism leads to genocide

Jargon — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 04:55:54 GMT

Hunter Gatherers were not capitalist as they had no DoL nor did they accumulate any capital.

Re: "Maoist": anarcho-capitalism leads to genocide

Neodoxy — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 04:49:59 GMT

Freedom,

Could you define "capitalist" in the sense of a "capitalist society" for me?

Re: "Maoist": anarcho-capitalism leads to genocide

Freedom4Me73986 — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 04:48:41 GMT

Marxists don't realize we've never had capitalism since the establishment of civ and then the state. Hunter gatherers were the only capitalist societies to ever exist.

Re: "Maoist": anarcho-capitalism leads to genocide

Jargon — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 03:43:55 GMT

This is no mistake. This is the Marxist Methodology. Manipulate the lexicon and distort history to the advantage of the 'inevitable uprising'. If only he were as stupid as he looked.

Re: "Maoist": anarcho-capitalism leads to genocide

Laotzu del Zinn — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 03:40:32 GMT

Tho I would like to see specific criticisms of his premise (Show me "straw man! Somalia is not an-cap" would be my first guess)...

Even I know that Maoists are bat-turd insane.

Re: "Maoist": anarcho-capitalism leads to genocide

Neodoxy — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 03:31:25 GMT

"Maoist": anarcho-capitalism leads to genocide

Freedom4Me73986 — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 03:26:15 GMT

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.

Is this guy for real?

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