Seth wrote:Woodbutcher wrote:I'm interested in the premise of individual freedom to choose my course through life according to what I see is the best approach, avoiding harm to others to the best of my ability, and helping others along without giving some a free ride. Too often there are people who expect special consideration. What controls does a Libertarian society put in existence to give equal justice to all without prejudice? What about healthcare to all? I think a lot of our money is wasted on needless expense by people with fictitious complaints. Who would decide the need? I have many questions and would appreciate some reading resources as well. I have an open mind on this. I do not troll. Seth? CES? Laklak? Opposing viewpoints also sought. But keep things factual.
The essence of Libertarianism is the absolute right to freedom of consensual contract and the absence of government coercion in the provision of government services. What Libertarianism is not is rugged individualism sans any social contract. It's precisely the opposite. Libertarianism holds as its founding principle the requirement that every person avoid initiating force or fraud upon others, and that every person also has the right to respond to the initiation of force or fraud against. This does not mean that Libertarianism eschews the rule of law, criminal justice systems or government, it simply means that it is the duty of the individual to both protect and enforce his rights, and it is not the duty of the government to protect anyone from themselves.
But nothing in Libertarianism prohibits persons from voluntarily associating with others in the interests of forming a workable society. What it does prohibit is the imposition of restrictions on the freedom of action of anyone unless that action constitutes the initiation of force or fraud upon another.
Thus, things like mandatory zoning laws that dictate what one may or may not do on one's own property that purport to control non-exported harm (in particular aesthetic regulations) are forbidden in Libertarianism because what one's property looks like is a matter of freedom of personal expression. If, however, one's conduct on one's property exports harm to a neighbor, then it is an initiation of force or fraud that may be responded to and controlled. But the proper mechanism for such complaints is not the legislature and laws that control the behavior of everyone, it's private suit seeking injunction or compensation for harm ACTUALLY done to the neighbor.
As to health care, Libertarianism maintains that no individual is responsible for the medical care of another unless they have voluntarily assumed such liability as a part of a private contract between two parties. Such contracts would include, by way of example, parents having liability for their minor children's health care, and spouses being liable for each other, if that's how they choose to formulate their domestic contract.
Libertarianism does not allow the government to compel someone to pay for others health care against their will, as each person is ultimately responsible for their own health, safety and welfare. However, the concept of enlightened self interest, which is also part of Libertarian thought, holds that charity and altruism are rational adult personality behaviors that contribute to the smooth functioning of society, and that it is in the best interests of every person to make sure that the poor, indigent, sick and disabled are cared for properly, so as to enhance social stability and order. But each person is free to decide for themselves how charitable and altruistic they wish to be.
This freedom to disassociate from undesirable social misfits who demand that others labor on their behalf causes those in genuine need to humble themselves and actually ASK for assistance in the knowledge that no one is OBLIGATED to assist them rather than assuming, as the socialist does, that they are entitled to appropriate the labor of others for their own benefit by force. This in turn leads to a society of voluntary cooperation and altruism rather than a society of coercive, compelled obligation.
The control mechanism that prevents the apocalyptic societal destruction that socialists insist will absolutely follow in the wake of a Libertarian society is simple human nature and the traits of well-formed, adult personalities in people who understand the need to participate in society in order to enjoy the benefits of that society.
The pathology of socialism destroys the well-formed adult personality and replaces it with a nearly psychotic dependent personality that is stuck in an infantile stage of development where nothing beyond the individual's personal needs and desires is important, and each socialist is at war with every other socialist to get their "fair share" of the pie that the government offers.
Libertarians control such atavistic and pathological selfishness in members of a Libertarian society through direct rejection of such behavior patterns. Because Libertarians are free to trade and associate with whom they please, they are also free, as individuals or as a community to REFUSE to trade or associate with a social misfit who insists on initiating force and fraud against others. Such social "shunning" can be complete, with merchants refusing to sell to such persons and everyone refusing to associate with them. This sort of social opprobrium is very, very powerful and is very effective at modifying social behavior. Few people want to be completely alone and utterly unable to enjoy the fruits of an organized society, and the natural desire for social intercourse is a strong motivator towards socially acceptable behavior.
This does not mean that Libertarians will not engage in collective effort or even collective action against a particularly anti-social and harmful individual or group. Such collective action is fully authorized, but participation is always voluntary and not compulsory.
I hope this helps you understand the true principles and practices of Libertarianism rather than the false image that socialist detractors toss out as strawmen at every opportunity. I'll be happy to fill in the gaps for you, just ask.
