- Capitalism and Alternatives -

...into abstuse libertarian gibberish

Posted by: Stoller on November 21, 1999 at 23:53:29:

In Reply to: Paradox resolved posted by Nikhil Jaikumar on November 21, 1999 at 19:17:54:


After all, there ARE members of the proletariat class who readily support 'some' inequality and readily support 'some' private ownership of the means of production.


: You cannot get inside my mind.

Whaaat!?

After explicitly stating that you support 10% - 20% of the means of production being held privately (by scientists, artists, and other so-called island-dwellers who rely on no labor other than themselves), NOW you're saying that I don't 'know your mind'?

I know your POSITION---and that's what counts.

NJ:
If society as a whole is in favor of socialism, then workers, just like everyone else, should not be allowed to become capitalists and lord it over their fellows. But they should certainly be able to cast a vote and opinion for whatevre system they like...

Stoller:
Your second sentence obviates your first.

: No, properly understood there is absolutely NO CONTRADICTION. The apparent paradox you see is resolved by the concept of FREEDOM.

Leaving out the distinction between freedom to or freedom from,of course, helps support your abstruse libertarianism...

: Workers (and the People in general) have the right to CHOOSE whatevre system they like.

What if some workers want socialism and some workers want capitalism?

You are presuming that ALL workers are in complete consensus at the same time---in a capitalist culture, no less.

That's pointlessly utopian.

But to continue anyway...

: For example, if they choose socialism, laws must be drawn up that declare private ownership out of bounds.

I'm glad you hear your 10% - 20% scheme is finally getting retired...

: Certain things, e.g. free speech and the welfare systemn, are basic human rigts and can never be removed.

Your utopianism is showing again.

By your own argument: if 'the majority' decide to outlaw free speech, why shouldn't they?

Because YOU personally dissent?

Are not your 'universal rights' simply things that YOU personally believe in?

: The freedom to choose one's ideology and political leaders is a basic human right, and as such it trumps the question of what economisc system would be best.

You're ignoring that economic systems arrive BEFORE and THEN CONSTRUCT ideology and 'rights.'

And that's why your esoteric libertarianism leads nowhere...




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