- Capitalism and Alternatives -

That's libertarian nonsense

Posted by: MDG on March 01, 19100 at 20:53:00:

In Reply to: Georges Bank Fishery - Attn: Nikhil Jaikumar posted by Loudon Head on March 01, 19100 at 19:03:36:

[snipped, because this sums of Loudon Head's argument:]

: Take a look at what's been happening in Iceland and New Zealand. Their fisheries were being depleted due to government mismanagement. They privatized the fisheries and BINGO, suddenly there's no fish shortage anymore.

You argue that government regulation of natural resources is doomed to failure, but the magical private sector will run things with care and concern for the environment. That, my friend, is a crock. Did Charles Hurwitz/a> wisely manage the forests owned by Pacific Lumber after he acquired it in a corporate takeover? No, he engaged in all-out clearcutting. Had there been effective government regulation of the United States' old-growth forests, Hurwitz wouldn't have been able to engage in his clear-cutting frenzy.

There is nothing inherently wrong with government regulation. In fact, regulation is often needed to protect the public and the environment from those who would plunder both for the sake of short-term profit.


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