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Debate: Libertarianism
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===Background and context === | ===Background and context === | ||
[[Image:Political chart.JPG|right|400px]] | [[Image:Political chart.JPG|right|400px]] | ||
- | Libertarianism is a broad spectrum of political philosophies, each sharing the common overall priority of maximum limitation of government combined with optimum possible individual liberty. Its goals, though often varied in detail, prioritize freedom of speech and assembly, freedom of association, freedom to bear arms, freedom of and from religion, Press freedom, economic freedom, and freedom of ownership. It rejects the compulsions of socialism and communism so far as to uphold, at one end of the spectrum, private property, whether held on an individual or group basis. It promotes personal responsibility and self-organized charity, as opposed to welfare statism. | + | Libertarianism is a broad spectrum of political philosophies, each sharing the common overall priority of maximum limitation of government combined with optimum possible individual liberty. Its goals, though often varied in detail, prioritize freedom of speech and assembly, freedom of association, freedom to bear arms, freedom of and from religion, Press freedom, economic freedom, and freedom of ownership. It rejects the compulsions of socialism and communism so far as to uphold, at one end of the spectrum, private property, whether held on an individual or group basis. It promotes personal responsibility and self-organized charity, as opposed to welfare statism. There are, broadly speaking, two types of libertarian: rights theorists (also called libertarian moralists) and libertarian consequentialists. Rights theorists, which include noted deontologists, assert that all persons are the absolute owners of their lives, and should be free to do whatever they wish with their own bodies or property, provided they do not infringe on the rights of another to engage in that same freedom. They maintain that the initiation of force, defined by physical violence against another or non-physical acts such as fraud or threat, is a violation of that central principle; however, they hold that protective violence, such as self defense, does not constitute an initiation of force since they hold that such actions necessarily reflect an individual's reaction to a danger initiated by another individual. Many philosophers proclaiming this theory recognize the necessity of a limited role of government to protect individuals from any violation of their rights, and to prosecute those who initiate force against others. Some other rights theorists claim to oppose the existence of government altogether, perceiving taxation, among some other usual basic government actions, to be initiation of force (these include anarcho-capitalists). Consequentialist libertarians, on the other hand, do not speak against "initiation of force," but instead highlight the notion of a society that allows individuals to enjoy political and economic liberty. They believe these cornerstones set the foundation for human happiness and prosperity. Therefore, instead of adhering to the Right Theorist viewpoint, Consequentialists rather focus primarily on the belief that liberty is conducive to good consequences rather than being concerned whether provision of liberty includes or requires initiation of force. This particular branch is associated with Milton Friedman, Ludwig von Mises, Friedrich Hayek, and James M. Buchanan. This debate discusses the issue of Libertarianism. |
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- | There are, broadly speaking, two types of libertarian: rights theorists (also called libertarian moralists) and libertarian consequentialists. Rights theorists, which include noted deontologists, assert that all persons are the absolute owners of their lives, and should be free to do whatever they wish with their own bodies or property, provided they do not infringe on the rights of another to engage in that same freedom. They maintain that the initiation of force, defined by physical violence against another or non-physical acts such as fraud or threat, is a violation of that central principle; however, they hold that protective violence, such as self defense, does not constitute an initiation of force since they hold that such actions necessarily reflect an individual's reaction to a danger initiated by another individual. Many philosophers proclaiming this theory recognize the necessity of a limited role of government to protect individuals from any violation of their rights, and to prosecute those who initiate force against others. Some other rights theorists claim to oppose the existence of government altogether, perceiving taxation, among some other usual basic government actions, to be initiation of force (these include anarcho-capitalists). | + | |
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- | Consequentialist libertarians, on the other hand, do not speak against "initiation of force," but instead highlight the notion of a society that allows individuals to enjoy political and economic liberty. They believe these cornerstones set the foundation for human happiness and prosperity. Therefore, instead of adhering to the Right Theorist viewpoint, Consequentialists rather focus primarily on the belief that liberty is conducive to good consequences rather than being concerned whether provision of liberty includes or requires initiation of force. This particular branch is associated with Milton Friedman, Ludwig von Mises, Friedrich Hayek, and James M. Buchanan. | + | |
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- | This debate discusses the issue of Libertarianism. | + | |
<small>Some content for the introduction was retrieved from [[Wikipedia:Libertarianism]], which allows reuse under the terms of the GFDL, which Debatepedia is licensed under.</small> | <small>Some content for the introduction was retrieved from [[Wikipedia:Libertarianism]], which allows reuse under the terms of the GFDL, which Debatepedia is licensed under.</small> | ||
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*'''[[Argument: Free market economics fosters capitalist authoritarianism; undermines rights| Free market economics fosters capitalist authoritarianism; undermines rights]]''' The only thing that can replace civil, democratic government would be a form of free-market governance. Without democratic controls, this form of governance is much more likely to be abusive and undermine individual rights. | *'''[[Argument: Free market economics fosters capitalist authoritarianism; undermines rights| Free market economics fosters capitalist authoritarianism; undermines rights]]''' The only thing that can replace civil, democratic government would be a form of free-market governance. Without democratic controls, this form of governance is much more likely to be abusive and undermine individual rights. | ||
- | *'''Libertarianism is contradicted by the mere existence of vast bodies of law.''' ''Nevada Attorney General Frankie Sue Del Papa (replying to county-rights advocates), 1993'' - "There has been little or no mention of the vast body of law which contradicts your position. I think you owe it to the people whom you address to explain its existence."[http://world.std.com/~mhuben/quotes.html] | + | *'''[[Argument: Libertarianism contradicted by mere existence of body of law| Libertarianism contradicted by mere existence of body of law]]''' ''Nevada Attorney General Frankie Sue Del Papa (replying to county-rights advocates), 1993'' - "There has been little or no mention of the vast body of law which contradicts your position. I think you owe it to the people whom you address to explain its existence."[http://world.std.com/~mhuben/quotes.html] |
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====No==== | ====No==== | ||
- | *'''[[Argument: Society must collectively own many form of property through government| Society must collectively own many form of property through government]]''' '''Benjamin Franklin''' - "All property, indeed, except the savage's temporary cabin, his bow, his matchcoat and other little Acquisitions absolutely necessary for his Subsistence, seems to me to be the creature of public Convention. Hence, the public has the rights of regulating Descents, and all other Conveyances of Property, and even of limiting the quantity and uses of it. All the property that is necessary to a man is his natural Right, which none may justly deprive him of, but all Property superfluous to such Purposes is the property of the Public who, by their Laws have created it and who may, by other Laws dispose of it."[http://world.std.com/~mhuben/quotes.html] | + | *'''[[Argument: Society must collectively own many forms of property through government| Society must collectively own many form of property through government]]''' - '''Benjamin Franklin''' - "All property, indeed, except the savage's temporary cabin, his bow, his matchcoat and other little Acquisitions absolutely necessary for his Subsistence, seems to me to be the creature of public Convention. Hence, the public has the rights of regulating Descents, and all other Conveyances of Property, and even of limiting the quantity and uses of it. All the property that is necessary to a man is his natural Right, which none may justly deprive him of, but all Property superfluous to such Purposes is the property of the Public who, by their Laws have created it and who may, by other Laws dispose of it."[http://world.std.com/~mhuben/quotes.html] |
*'''[[Argument: Liberal democracies should ensure a degree of "equality of outcome"| Liberal democracies should ensure a degree of "equality of outcome"]]''' A principal 20th century liberal theorists, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Rawls John Rawls], originated the idea of a the "veil of ignorance". The idea is that, imagining we all had no idea how we would "come out of the womb" and whether we would be "advantaged or disadvantaged", what kind of social contract would we construct. We would want to construct one in which we minimized the risks to ourselves if we happened to get the "short-end of the stick". This is why a degree of "equality of outcome" is important. Libertarianism does not recognize these ideas. | *'''[[Argument: Liberal democracies should ensure a degree of "equality of outcome"| Liberal democracies should ensure a degree of "equality of outcome"]]''' A principal 20th century liberal theorists, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Rawls John Rawls], originated the idea of a the "veil of ignorance". The idea is that, imagining we all had no idea how we would "come out of the womb" and whether we would be "advantaged or disadvantaged", what kind of social contract would we construct. We would want to construct one in which we minimized the risks to ourselves if we happened to get the "short-end of the stick". This is why a degree of "equality of outcome" is important. Libertarianism does not recognize these ideas. | ||
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*'''Libertarians are opposed to government intervention on all social issues.''' This is one of the reasons that Libertarians are considered "left-wing" on social issues. Libertarians are opposed to government intervention in a variety of areas: | *'''Libertarians are opposed to government intervention on all social issues.''' This is one of the reasons that Libertarians are considered "left-wing" on social issues. Libertarians are opposed to government intervention in a variety of areas: | ||
**'''[[Argument: Libertarians call for repealing all laws regulating sex| Libertarians call for repealing all laws regulating sex]]''', including prostitution, homosexuality, and sexually explicit materials. | **'''[[Argument: Libertarians call for repealing all laws regulating sex| Libertarians call for repealing all laws regulating sex]]''', including prostitution, homosexuality, and sexually explicit materials. | ||
- | **'''[[Argument: Women have a right to control their bodies and choose abortion| Women have a right to control their bodies and choose abortion]]''' | + | **'''[[Argument: Women must control their bodies or risk becoming servants of the fetus| Women have a right to control their bodies and choose abortion]]''' |
**'''[[Argument: Libertarians oppose all restrictions on freedom of speech| Libertarians oppose all restrictions on freedom of speech]]''' | **'''[[Argument: Libertarians oppose all restrictions on freedom of speech| Libertarians oppose all restrictions on freedom of speech]]''' | ||
**Libertarians oppose government impediments to free press. | **Libertarians oppose government impediments to free press. | ||
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*'''Individuals have the right to appropriate natural resources.''' Individuals, having a right to make independent choices, have the right to appropriate natural resources for their own purposes. | *'''Individuals have the right to appropriate natural resources.''' Individuals, having a right to make independent choices, have the right to appropriate natural resources for their own purposes. | ||
- | *'''People can be trusted to make the right choices in regard to the environment.'''. When people are given the choice of whether they want to help the environment, they are likely to choose the one that is best for themselves and society, which is likely to involve helping the environment. ''Russell Means'' - "A libertarian society would not allow anyone to injure others by pollution because it insists on individual responsibility."[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russell_Means] | + | *'''[[Argument: People can be trusted to make right environmental choices| People can be trusted to make right environmental choices]]''' When people are given the choice of whether they want to help the environment, they are likely to choose the one that is best for themselves and society, which is likely to involve helping the environment. ''Russell Means'' - "A libertarian society would not allow anyone to injure others by pollution because it insists on individual responsibility."[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russell_Means] |
*'''Many left forms of Libertarianism call for environmental protections.''' Not all forms of Libertarianism call for the availability of natural resources to individual ownership. Left-Libertarianism limits this, while allowing form any other forms of individual ownership. | *'''Many left forms of Libertarianism call for environmental protections.''' Not all forms of Libertarianism call for the availability of natural resources to individual ownership. Left-Libertarianism limits this, while allowing form any other forms of individual ownership. | ||
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|colspan="2" width="45%" bgcolor="#F2F2F2" style="border:1px solid #BAC5FD;padding:.4em;padding-top:0.5em;"| | |colspan="2" width="45%" bgcolor="#F2F2F2" style="border:1px solid #BAC5FD;padding:.4em;padding-top:0.5em;"| | ||
- | ==See also== | + | ==Videos== |
<youtube>MYQRzXd1UvQ&feature=related</youtube> | <youtube>MYQRzXd1UvQ&feature=related</youtube> | ||
+ | |||
+ | ==See also== | ||
+ | |||
==External links== | ==External links== | ||
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[[Category:Individual rights]] | [[Category:Individual rights]] | ||
[[Category:United States]] | [[Category:United States]] | ||
+ | [[Category:Economics]] | ||
+ | [[Category:International]] |
Current revision
[Edit] Is Libertarianism a sound political philosophy? |
[Edit] Background and contextLibertarianism is a broad spectrum of political philosophies, each sharing the common overall priority of maximum limitation of government combined with optimum possible individual liberty. Its goals, though often varied in detail, prioritize freedom of speech and assembly, freedom of association, freedom to bear arms, freedom of and from religion, Press freedom, economic freedom, and freedom of ownership. It rejects the compulsions of socialism and communism so far as to uphold, at one end of the spectrum, private property, whether held on an individual or group basis. It promotes personal responsibility and self-organized charity, as opposed to welfare statism. There are, broadly speaking, two types of libertarian: rights theorists (also called libertarian moralists) and libertarian consequentialists. Rights theorists, which include noted deontologists, assert that all persons are the absolute owners of their lives, and should be free to do whatever they wish with their own bodies or property, provided they do not infringe on the rights of another to engage in that same freedom. They maintain that the initiation of force, defined by physical violence against another or non-physical acts such as fraud or threat, is a violation of that central principle; however, they hold that protective violence, such as self defense, does not constitute an initiation of force since they hold that such actions necessarily reflect an individual's reaction to a danger initiated by another individual. Many philosophers proclaiming this theory recognize the necessity of a limited role of government to protect individuals from any violation of their rights, and to prosecute those who initiate force against others. Some other rights theorists claim to oppose the existence of government altogether, perceiving taxation, among some other usual basic government actions, to be initiation of force (these include anarcho-capitalists). Consequentialist libertarians, on the other hand, do not speak against "initiation of force," but instead highlight the notion of a society that allows individuals to enjoy political and economic liberty. They believe these cornerstones set the foundation for human happiness and prosperity. Therefore, instead of adhering to the Right Theorist viewpoint, Consequentialists rather focus primarily on the belief that liberty is conducive to good consequences rather than being concerned whether provision of liberty includes or requires initiation of force. This particular branch is associated with Milton Friedman, Ludwig von Mises, Friedrich Hayek, and James M. Buchanan. This debate discusses the issue of Libertarianism. Some content for the introduction was retrieved from Wikipedia:Libertarianism, which allows reuse under the terms of the GFDL, which Debatepedia is licensed under. |
[Edit] [ ![]() Rights: Is the Libertarian perspective on individual rights appropriate? | |
[Edit] Yes
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[Edit] No
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[Edit] [ ![]() Consent: Should all interaction with government be voluntary? | |
[Edit] Yes
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[Edit] No
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[Edit] [ ![]() Property: Is the libertarian perspective on property appropriate? | |
[Edit] Yes
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[Edit] No
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[Edit] [ ![]() Small government: Is the libertarian idea of smaller government a good idea? | |
[Edit] Yes
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[Edit] No
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[Edit] [ ![]() Economics: Is Libertarianism economically beneficial? | |
[Edit] Yes
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[Edit] No
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[Edit] [ ![]() Foreign policy: Does libertarianism improve foreign policies? | |
[Edit] Yes
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[Edit] No
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[Edit] [ ![]() Disadvantaged: Would the disadvantaged/unemployed survive in a libertarian society? | |
[Edit] Yes
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[Edit] No
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[Edit] [ ![]() Social issues: What are the positions of libertarians on social issues? Are they right? | |
[Edit] Yes
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[Edit] No
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[Edit] [ ![]() Crime: Would crime increase in a Libertarian society? | |
[Edit] Yes
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[Edit] No
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[Edit] [ ![]() Environment: Would libertarianism be good or bad for the environment? | |
[Edit] Yes
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[Edit] No
|
[Edit] [ ![]() Does the Libertarian party follow the principles of Libertarianism? | |
[Edit] Yes
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[Edit] No
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[Edit] [ ![]() Is the Libertarian viewpoint right wing? | |
[Edit] Yes
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[Edit] No
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[Edit] [ ![]() Is the Libertarian viewpoint left wing? | |
[Edit] Yes
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[Edit] No
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[Edit] [ ![]() Pro/con resources | |
[Edit] Yes
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[Edit] No
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[Edit] Videos[Edit] See also[Edit] External links |