Political Theory

Re: An anarcho-capitalist FAQ...

liberty student — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 00:55:21 GMT

sicsempertyrannis:
I agree, actually. But if no effort is made to reconcile them, LLs will just accuse it of being a 'right' libertarian FAQ which in their eyes might make it dismissible.

An anarcho-capitalist FAQ should be correct within the ANCAP paradigm first, and left/right second. Frankly, I expect many LLs to find such a FAQ abhorrent and unreasonable. The good guys who lean left like Mike G. @ NoState and David Z @ NoThirdSolution won't make a fuss because they are reasonable people.

If the LL crybabies dismiss it, that probably means it is good.

Re: An anarcho-capitalist FAQ...

sicsempertyrannis — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 00:41:08 GMT

liberty student:

sicsempertyrannis:
I also believe an FAQ ought to try and reconcile left and 'right' libertarianism as best as possible. Don't want it be accused of being pro or against either side.

I don't see the point. You can't be an anarcho-capitalist IMO and be an anti-capitalist, which is what many left-libertarians are.

A lot of left-libertarians also embrace Marx's polylogism and class theory. I think Hoppe's class theory for anarcho-capitalism is not only more relevant, but it also sweeps the Marxist class theory off the Libertarian table.

I agree, actually. But if no effort is made to reconcile them, LLs will just accuse it of being a 'right' libertarian FAQ which in their eyes might make it dismissible.

Re: An anarcho-capitalist FAQ...

liberty student — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 00:02:55 GMT

sicsempertyrannis:
I also believe an FAQ ought to try and reconcile left and 'right' libertarianism as best as possible. Don't want it be accused of being pro or against either side.

I don't see the point. You can't be an anarcho-capitalist IMO and be an anti-capitalist, which is what many left-libertarians are.

A lot of left-libertarians also embrace Marx's polylogism and class theory. I think Hoppe's class theory for anarcho-capitalism is not only more relevant, but it also sweeps the Marxist class theory off the Libertarian table.

Re: An anarcho-capitalist FAQ...

kiba — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 23:59:36 GMT

sicsempertyrannis:

kiba:

Can you add IP or is that still controversial among anarcho-capitalists?(No conclusion yet?)

There is no such thing as intellectual 'property' in anarcho-capitalism. Every attempt I have seen to reconcile IP with an Ancap society doesnt work.

I agree with that sentiment. I am still wondering if anarcho-capitalists in general has reached a consenus on IP.

Re: An anarcho-capitalist FAQ...

sicsempertyrannis — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 23:57:14 GMT

liberty student:

GilesStratton:
I never said it was a problem that couldn't be overcome. Just that it may prove difficult to adequately capture all of, or at least the most prominent views.

A significant failing of libertarians and anarchists is that the perfect becomes the enemy of the good.

A FAQ doesn't have to be succinct, absolute or perfect. But it definitely needs a start.

I also believe an FAQ ought to try and reconcile left and 'right' libertarianism as best as possible. Don't want it be accused of being pro or against either side.

Re: An anarcho-capitalist FAQ...

liberty student — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 23:32:02 GMT

GilesStratton:
I never said it was a problem that couldn't be overcome. Just that it may prove difficult to adequately capture all of, or at least the most prominent views.

A significant failing of libertarians and anarchists is that the perfect becomes the enemy of the good.

A FAQ doesn't have to be succinct, absolute or perfect. But it definitely needs a start.

Re: An anarcho-capitalist FAQ...

hayekianxyz — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 23:12:59 GMT

Knight_of_BAAWA:

GilesStratton:
The main problem with roads is that there's quite a few differing views between "anarcho capitalists" regarding their provision without the state.

I don't see the problem; just list the most common views, state that it's non-exhaustive, and there's no problem.

I never said it was a problem that couldn't be overcome. Just that it may prove difficult to adequately capture all of, or at least the most prominent views.

Re: An anarcho-capitalist FAQ...

Knight_of_BAAWA — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 22:38:08 GMT

GilesStratton:
The main problem with roads is that there's quite a few differing views between "anarcho capitalists" regarding their provision without the state.

I don't see the problem; just list the most common views, state that it's non-exhaustive, and there's no problem.

Re: An anarcho-capitalist FAQ...

nirgrahamUK — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 22:22:43 GMT

an answer might be that averagely well to do people might pay for their defence agencies to provide detecting and emprisonment services counter criminals that murderously prey on the poor that havent their own defence contracts > so that there arent many rampant poor-killers out there, who may accidentally kill a paid-up member (rather than a non-subscriber): thats just one idea. Maybe not even for their own theoretical defence, but as much for their aesthetics and the idea of what their immediate environment is like to live in. furthermore they might want to know about such a criminals crimes, so that they can avoid the criminal in their business dealings so as not to entangle themselves with his crimes, not to support him in his crimes and allow him to suffer the damage of being excluded for cooperating in the divsision of labour. im sure this answer could be improved, but its a start?

Re: An anarcho-capitalist FAQ...

sicsempertyrannis — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 21:19:12 GMT

kiba:

Can you add IP or is that still controversial among anarcho-capitalists?(No conclusion yet?)

There is no such thing as intellectual 'property' in anarcho-capitalism. Every attempt I have seen to reconcile IP with an Ancap society doesnt work.

To OP: the question/concern I always get when debating anarcho-capitalism has to do with private law and a what if situation where the defendant doesnt reconize the court's decision. Yes, I know this has been answered before I beleive it is one of the more common objections. Another one I heard recently was what if a person goes around murdering poor people whos families cannot afford to get redress from a private court? Stupid appeal to emotion I know, but there ought to be a go to answer for that as well.

Re: An anarcho-capitalist FAQ...

kiba — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 20:58:51 GMT

Can you add IP or is that still controversial among anarcho-capitalists?(No conclusion yet?)

Re: An anarcho-capitalist FAQ...

hayekianxyz — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 18:58:32 GMT

The main problem with roads is that there's quite a few differing views between "anarcho capitalists" regarding their provision without the state.

Re: An anarcho-capitalist FAQ...

MatthewWilliam — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 18:51:41 GMT

britainland:
What about the roads?

Are there any historical examples of this?

Wouldn't there be toll booths every metre?

Wouldn't people be denied access to the roads outside their houses?

Wouldn't roads be constructed inefficiently without eminent domain?

Rothbard cites chapter 3 of this book in MES as an example of a privately built road and canal system in 18th century England.

The thread How would a private road system work? answers a lot of questions about roads.

An anarcho-capitalist FAQ...

britainland — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 18:09:20 GMT

I'm thinking of writing an anarcho-capitalist FAQ, largely because it seems like I have to write the same responses to the same questions over and over again on another forum I frequent. There are some anarcho-capitalist FAQs on the internet at the moment, but few focus on substantive issues; they argue, instead, about whether anarcho-capitalism can truly be called anarchism, etc. I enjoy those discussions, but I think many people want to read the pragmatic side, and these people are often to disinterested to read a book.

However, I'm not really sure about how to structure this FAQ; I want it to describe how certain functions (e.g. police, law and the courts) would work, and then answer any common objections. Also, I want to slip in historical examples, and reference works for further reading. I'm also aware, of course, that we can never predict exactly what anarcho-capitalism will look like, but we can offer some ideas of what it might look like. Tell me if this would fit that criteria:

What about police, law and the courts?
- Are there any historical examples of this?
- Wouldn't private defense agencies battle?
- Wouldn't organised crime take over?
- Wouldn't the rich be able to exploit everybody else?
- Wouldn't private defense agencies form a de facto government?
What about national defense?
- Are there any historical examples of this?
- Wouldn't some people free ride off the defense paid for by others?
What about the roads?
- Are there any historical examples of this?
- Wouldn't there be toll booths every metre?
- Wouldn't people be denied access to the roads outside their houses?
- Wouldn't roads be constructed inefficiently without eminent domain?

This is obviously incomplete, so any suggestions are appreciated.