Difference between revisions of "A Non-Libertarian FAQ"
From Critiques Of Libertarianism
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{{DES | des = A general introduction to discussion with libertarians, with an extensive discussion of arguments commonly used by libertarian evangelists. This is the original FAQ, little changed from when it originated in 1994. See also: [[More FAQS]] and [[Criticisms of the Non-Libertarian FAQ]]. | show=}} | {{DES | des = A general introduction to discussion with libertarians, with an extensive discussion of arguments commonly used by libertarian evangelists. This is the original FAQ, little changed from when it originated in 1994. See also: [[More FAQS]] and [[Criticisms of the Non-Libertarian FAQ]]. | show=}} | ||
| + | Version 1.6 consists of ongoing updated from: | ||
Version 1.5, last updated 10/25/07, wikified 8/9/12. | Version 1.5, last updated 10/25/07, wikified 8/9/12. | ||
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====Extortion by the state is no different than extortion by the Mafia.==== | ====Extortion by the state is no different than extortion by the Mafia.==== | ||
| − | This is a prize piece of libertarian rhetoric, because it slides in the accusation that taxation is extortion. This analogy initially seems strong, because both are territorial. However, libertarians consider contractual rental of land by owners (which is also fundamentally territorial) ethical, and consider coercion of squatters by those owners ethical. The key difference is who owns what. The Mafia doesn't own anything to contract about. The landowner owns the land (in a limited sense.) And the US government owns rights to govern its territory. (These rights are a form of property, much as mineral rights are a form of property. Let's not confuse them with rights of individuals.) Thus, the social contract can be required by the territorial property holder: the USA. | + | This is a prize piece of libertarian rhetoric, because it slides in the accusation that taxation is extortion. This analogy initially seems strong, because both are territorial. However, libertarians consider contractual rental of land by owners (which is also fundamentally territorial) ethical, and consider coercion of squatters by those owners ethical. The key difference is who owns what. The Mafia doesn't own anything to contract about. The landowner owns the land (in a limited sense.) And the US government owns rights to govern its territory. (These rights are a form of property, much as mineral rights are a form of property. They are known as allodial title. Let's not confuse them with rights of individuals.) Thus, the social contract can be required by the territorial property holder: the USA. |
====There's no such thing as rights to govern territory!==== | ====There's no such thing as rights to govern territory!==== | ||
