Ain't That America

[lushj]

What I'm saying is that I've actually studied anarchism as a political theory, and used to be really conversant in some of the more esoteric disputes between the various factions. I think I've forgotten more about anarchism than you've ever known, at least based on your posts here.

Seriously, if you want to go that route, fine. But please know what you're talking about before you go around claiming that you're an anarchist. Guh.

[pdowd]

I got inspired to read Emma Goldman tonight, so my reading on anarchism will start sometime soon.


It started with this awesome quote: "If I can't dance, I don't want to be a part of your revolution"

Oh also she had a president killed, BADASS!

[LawnmowerOfLove]

What I'm saying is that I've actually studied anarchism as a political theory, and used to be really conversant in some of the more esoteric disputes between the various factions. I think I've forgotten more about anarchism than you've ever known, at least based on your posts here.

Seriously, if you want to go that route, fine. But please know what you're talking about before you go around claiming that you're an anarchist. Guh.

I'd say it's a stretch for him to label himself as an anarchist, but it wouldn't be absurd for him to simply have anarchist ideals. You can't take the "anarchist" side to every issue; otherwise nothing would get accomplished. But you can work toward it. So if b&g is here arguing for more freedom (which is what libertarians claim to champion, whether or not he actually is one, I don't know or care), I don't see a hypocrisy in this. I think it's more rational, actually. Ideals give you a goal; something to work toward. In politics, they're rarely completely attained, but a step in the right direction (according to yourself) should at least make you happier.

[lushj]

I don't think he'd know anarchist ideals if they came up to him and offered him a beer & a handjob.

[blackandgold]

What I'm saying is that I've actually studied anarchism as a political theory, and used to be really conversant in some of the more esoteric disputes between the various factions. I think I've forgotten more about anarchism than you've ever known, at least based on your posts here.

Seriously, if you want to go that route, fine. But please know what you're talking about before you go around claiming that you're an anarchist. Guh.

Anarchocapitalism is what I generally believe although I know it's not realistic or practical in the real world. It is both a valid strain of anarchism and the most extreme strain of libertarianism.

[blackandgold]

Probably the most prominant anarchocapitalist is David Friedman, the son of Milton Friedman. Milton Friedman also spoke of anarchy as an favorable ideal, just an unrealistic ideal.

[blackandgold]

The only real world example that came close to anarchocapitalism was medieval Iceland. David Friedman always talks about that example if you look up some of his speeches on Youtube.

The book that got me on the way to anarchocapitalism was The Not So Wild, Wild West: Property Rights on the Frontier. In one of my college economics classes we had to choose two books off a list to read. I chose that as one to read. (The other I chose was Empire: The Rise and Demise of the British World Order and the Lessons for Global Power which is probably the best history book I've ever read).
http://www.amazon.com/Not-So-Wild-West-Economics/dp/0804748543

Also, Rep. Dana Rohrabacher of California was an anarchocapitalist in his younger years.

[blackandgold]

I don't think he'd know anarchist ideals if they came up to him and offered him a beer & a handjob.

I essentially believe that competing companies should take on the roles in our society currently handled by government. Now, it would be pretty impossible for competing companies to build a city street grid. But it's entirely plausable that the interstate highway system could be privitized since our country's first two interstate transporation systems were mostly private (railroads and canals). In fact our private railroad system was far superior to the railroad systems in countries where the government operated them.