It seems to me that there are 3 kinds of scarcity: 1) natural, 2) monopolistic, and 3) creative. The first and third are conducive to free markets. The second can produce horrors.
Tag: socialism
Economic Systems Transform Culture, Not Vice-Versa
I think capitalism is purely an accident, usually it doesn’t start. There have been several point in history where centralized control collapsed but markets still operated. In that period of time, no one was able to grab the reigns of power but peaceful transactions were highly profitable. Later, philosophers came in and acted like they were leading the parade. In short, I think the enlightenment explanation is wrong.
Collectives
I am a member of the collective of those who love our farm, those who love the land of Kentucky, those who love the land of the US, those who love North America, those who love the Americas, those who love the Western Hemisphere, those who love the World, those who love the Solar System, the Milky Way, the Universe, the Universes.
Regular Self-Interested Human Beings
There is a lot of debate on how liberty-minded people ought to handle personal association. Often this ends up being a point of angst and cognitive dissonance. I thought I would share some of my ideas on the matter.
“War is Peace”, “Net Neutrality”, and Other Lies
The “net neutrality” scam means large data users, such as streaming video services, will be subsidized by little old ladies who only check their email once a week. Instead of having the big users of data pay their way, the costs will be split up among all users, no matter how much, or how little, someone actually uses.
Sharing and Prehistoric Humans
I’ve said before that I’m not opposed to groups trying socialism or communism as long as it is completely voluntary and anyone can opt out at any time. Sharing is nice. Forced “sharing” isn’t sharing. And sharing what isn’t yours to share, under threat of violence, is just evil. That’s why political socialism and political communism are such utter evil failures, and always will be. Politics ruins everything.
Government Involvement Not Helping
It’s a wonderful thing when someone decides to help the community. I might even join them if their efforts align with my values. I’m somewhat less thrilled when someone mistakes running for office, getting a government job, or passing a law for helping. A government position or job is nothing to be proud of. It’s not honorable or praiseworthy. Everything is better without the threat of law or punishment, and when funded voluntarily. Worthwhile ideas don’t require arm twisting.
The Promise of Economic Equality
In a world where individuals always differ enormously in personal attributes and circumstances, in personal conduct and social constraints, it is difficult to think of anything more unfair than ensuring that in spite of all these differences, everyone ends up with the same income or wealth.
Parent Partnership, Statism, Historical Indoctrination, & Socialism’s Appeal (30m) – Editor’s Break 069
Editor’s Break 069 has Skyler giving his commentary on the following topics: being our child’s partner through difficult challenges, like getting pregnant at a young age; the undesirability, unnecessity, and avoidable nature of statism; how government schools indoctrinate, particularly through teaching history; the rhetorical appeal of socialism; and more.
On Socialism’s Rhetorical Appeal
Aside from the utter impossibility of attaining such abundance without private property and free markets, this vision has a fatal element of abstraction from the realities of the Iron Law of Oligarchy.