The libertarian response


Libertarian bloggers take on the Kos Libertarian Democrat challenge
One of the things that has been bouncing around the libertarian parts of the blogosphere is the responses to this Markous Moulitsas post at Cato Unbound.

Here is one of the more interesting responses.

So I issue a challenge. Someone, preferably of the left-leaning variety (but does not have to be), address this libertarian argument, explaining why it is either wrong or unpersuasive. Persuade me that corporate (coercive) power, to the extent that it exists, does not rest on governmental power at its foundation. I’ve never really seen anyone try, though that certainly could be my own fault for not having seen it.

The responses to the response have been fascinating, especially the ones at the Daily Kos.

Here's my take for what it is worth.

Corporations depend on governments for their coercive power. Even "wealth" as such isn't power, but cashflow is.

Except for benefits deriving from sales, anything else that a corporation has depends on the government. Which is the prime reason so many companies seek to influence the government.

The only way to restrict the coercive power of corporations is to restrict the coercive power of governments.

Most examples of government power fail the parity test. People are happy with bad law or regulation as long as it applies to someone else. It doesn't matter if it is income tax or environmental law.

— NeoWayland

Posted: Fri - October 13, 2006 at 06:00 AM  Tag


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