The alt-right and the ‘leftists’ (broadly speaking) see themselves as polar opposites despite embracing nearly identical tactics of dehumanizing their opponents and using violence against them. Both sides believe that peace can be achieved only after the streets run red with the blood of their enemies.
Tag: nationalism
What’s So Bad about Globalism?
So nationalists love to rant and rave about the dangers of “globalism,” which seems odd to me for a couple of reasons. First of all, the meaning of “globalism” seems pretty unclear, considering how different people define it. If it is used to mean global “government,” then I oppose it – not because it’s global, but because it’s authoritarian. But some people use the term to just mean thinking that we should kind of care about everyone on the planet, without regard to politician-created lines and borders. If that’s the definition, then I – and all voluntaryists – would be “globalists.”
Statism is an Unmistakable Measure of Social Vice
Every step in the direction of nationalism is an implicit admission of low self-esteem. Every step in the direction of protectionism is an implicit admission of low work ethic. And every step in the direction of statism is an implicit admission of generally low character.
The Evils of Nationalism and Racism
Sadly, mankind doesn’t appear to have learned much from history as the evils of nationalism and racism are once again on the rise. From Europe to the US, the rise of groups affiliated with Nazi ideology has led to a resurgence in violence against minorities, immigrants, and refugees.
Bad vs. Worse: Welfare Statism and Tribal Statism
Practically no one believes that so-called welfare states have the right to invade non-welfare states and remake them in their image, so that no one in the world is deprived of state welfare. Likewise, practically no one believes that so-called welfare states have the right to impose special taxes on their citizens with the purpose of creating welfare state systems in those countries that cannot afford to do so by themselves.
Freer Trade Is Deregulation
For those who like competitive markets, the prospect of a Trump presidency has not held a great deal of promise. His love of discretionary power, his weak understanding of economics, and his long history of cronyism all suggest that the next four years will not be a good time for those of us who think that market capitalism is the best economic system for raising the overall standard of living, and especially for the least well off among us.
2017: The Year Statism Starts to Die
In 2017, it is more important than ever to take a stand against collectivism and the hate it inspires. Don’t be silent. Don’t be part of the problem. Raise your voice and let the whole world hear you say—in blatant defiance of the state—that peace is possible, war is unnecessary, and liberty is achievable.
What’s a Secular Heretic to Do?
Secular and religion-based political systems can bear an uncanny resemblance. Observing their respective dogmas, catechisms, and sacraments, we might even wonder, with William Cavanaugh, whether the divide is as sharp as we commonly think. Recent events certainly call the distinction into question. We see that a secularist can be as much a fanatic who is willing to denounce heresy and impose his will through violence as any religionist.
All Governments are Vermin
The bigger a government is, the more powerful it will be.
Thank You, Donald Trump
We advocates of liberty owe Donald Trump a great debt of gratitude. Thanks to Trump it is clearer than ever that most people who call themselves conservatives, and not just those who have lined up with Trump, are no cousins of ours. Freedom is not on their list of priorities. Neither is free enterprise. Nor civil liberties. And I need not mention war, peace, and empire.