What do I think about today’s election? Basically the same thing I think about every election. For starters: I hate politics, both popular ideologies are insipid, the main parties’ differences are primarily rhetorical, politicians are evil, voters are irrational, and democracy is rule by demagogues.
Tag: democracy
On Euphemism
One of the most unfortunate components of language is euphemism. The creation and use of euphemism seems mostly a dastardly act, to fool others into agreeing with something which should be held in contempt.
Optimality versus Fire
Public choice economists have long argued that conventional economists hold markets to far higher standards than they hold government. Markets “fail” unless they’re optimal. Governments “succeed” unless they’re on fire.
Alternatives to Democracy, Rapist Sons, & Pregnant People (27m) – Editor’s Break 099
Editor’s Break 099 has Skyler giving his commentary on the following topics: alternatives to democratic government, which is bad for minorities; how to raise your sons to not be rapists; using the phrase “pregnant people” instead of “pregnant woman”; and more.
Violating the NAP, Libertarian Planet, & Democracy and Minorities (19m) – Editor’s Break 098
Editor’s Break 098 has Skyler giving his commentary on the following topics: whether one should violate the non-aggression principle to save somebody’s life, and what that says about the non-aggression principle; how a newcomer can come to own property in a place where all property is already owned; the effect of democratic government for minority groups; and more.
Spinoza – A Man for Our Troubled Times
In these interesting times, we all need someone to admire. I have found such a one in Benedict de Spinoza (1632-1677), the 17th-century rationalist liberal philosopher who advocated freedom of thought and expression, toleration, and simple kindness.
Foreign Policy II: The United States Should Diplomatically Recognize Liberland
In my previous article on Foreign Policy, I discussed normative U.S. foreign policy in the context of the Constitution. In this article, I focus on a particular aspect of U.S. foreign policy when I posit that the U.S. should recognize Liberland diplomatically.
On the “Participatory” Part of “Participatory Fascism”
When I use “participatory fascism”—for me a technical term in political economy, not an ideological or rhetorical cudgel—most people react to the “fascism” part and disregard the “participatory” part. Yet that part is critical to one’s understanding of how this system of rule proves so durable and resilient.
Evil Plus Evil Equals Doubly Evil
Democracy is horrible. It is mob rule made “socially acceptable”. Socialism is horrible. It is the attempt to make a society stand on a foundation of envy, theft, parasitism, and entitlement. Who could possibly imagine that combining these two nasty concepts could make something good?
Defining Anti-Semitism, Threatening Free Speech
In May the benign-sounding Anti-Semitism Awareness Act appeared before the U.S Congress “to provide for consideration a definition of anti-Semitism for the enforcement of Federal antidiscrimination laws concerning education programs or activities.” No big deal? Let us see. S. 2940 is sponsored by Republican Sen. Tim Scott and has four co-sponsors: Republican Lindsey Graham and…