Difference between revisions of "A Non-Libertarian FAQ"
From Critiques Of Libertarianism
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Immigrants, residents, and visitors contract through the oath of citizenship (swearing to uphold the laws and constitution), residency permits, and visas. Citizens reaffirm it in whole or part when they take political office, join the armed forces, etc. This contract has a fairly common form: once entered into, it is implicitly continued until explicitly revoked. Many other contracts have this form: some leases, most utility services (such as phone and electricity), etc. | Immigrants, residents, and visitors contract through the oath of citizenship (swearing to uphold the laws and constitution), residency permits, and visas. Citizens reaffirm it in whole or part when they take political office, join the armed forces, etc. This contract has a fairly common form: once entered into, it is implicitly continued until explicitly revoked. Many other contracts have this form: some leases, most utility services (such as phone and electricity), etc. | ||
| − | Some libertarians make a big deal about needing to actually sign a contract. Take them to a restaurant and see if they think it ethical to walk out without paying because they didn't sign anything. Even if it is a restaurant with a minimum charge and they haven't ordered anything. The restaurant gets to set the price and the method of contract so that even your presence creates a debt. What is a libertarian going to do about that? Create a regulation? | + | Some libertarians make a big deal about needing to actually sign a contract. Take them to a restaurant and see if they think it ethical to walk out without paying because they didn't sign anything. Even if it is a restaurant with a minimum charge and they haven't ordered anything. The restaurant gets to set the price and the method of contract so that even your presence creates a debt. Shrink wrap contracts are common in several business realms: government too. What is a libertarian going to do about that? Create a regulation? |
We might also point out that libertarians assume property, which is just a different "social contract that nobody signed". Ask anybody when they agreed to the property system, and if they have a choice to opt out and not respect the property others claim. | We might also point out that libertarians assume property, which is just a different "social contract that nobody signed". Ask anybody when they agreed to the property system, and if they have a choice to opt out and not respect the property others claim. | ||
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: There is no "true law". Innumerable political and religious sects might claim it, but I'd think that if there was such a thing, people could recognize it and agree on it. | : There is no "true law". Innumerable political and religious sects might claim it, but I'd think that if there was such a thing, people could recognize it and agree on it. | ||
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| + | ====John Stuart Mill==== | ||
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| + | ; "That the only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilized community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others." | ||
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| + | : This sentence, from the first chapter of his "On Liberty", seems rather final. But a mere two paragraphs later, he starts explaining at greater length traditional liberal duties: "There are also many positive acts for the benefit of others, which he may rightfully be compelled to perform; such as, to give evidence in a court of justice; to bear his fair share in the common defense, or in any other joint work necessary to the interest of the society of which he enjoys the protection; and to perform certain acts of individual beneficence, such as saving a fellow-creature's life, or interposing to protect the defenseless against ill-usage, things which whenever it is obviously a man's duty to do, he may rightfully be made responsible to society for not doing." Mill was obviously not a libertarian. | ||
====Unattributed==== | ====Unattributed==== | ||
