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> Nothing whatsoever about libertarianism implies you should not be helping those less fortunate than you - only that you shouldn't be forced to. Think of it a
by edent 11y ago
> Nothing whatsoever about libertarianism implies you should not be helping those less fortunate than you - only that you shouldn't be forced to.
Think of it as an ROI. The state invested heavily in you - schools, roads, doctors, police, fire brigades, clean air, etc. etc.
We expect repayment from all members of society in order to continue providing those benefits to them and those around them.
If, when you reach the age of maturity, you don't feel that you want to be part of the social contract, you have a few choices available.
1. Leave. Go off to Somalia or some other place where the state won't force you to contribute taxes.
2. Lobby your elected officials (or become elected) to explain why we should stop supporting society. Remember, all those libraries were erected because people in your society saw the value in collectivising to enhance public education.
3. Opt out of society as far as possible. Generate your own electricity and grow your own crops. Just don't impinge on our rights to live in a safe(r) environment.
But, by and large, the Libertarians I've encountered don't think like that. They have the misguided idea that all their successes are down to personal endeavour and that they shouldn't be responsible for contributing at all. They see tax as theft of their hard work, not as a investor extracting their fair share.
Of course, you're right that Libertarianism itself doesn't imply having no social conscience - but many of its adherents simply don't.
- WalterBright 11y agoAndrew Carnegie's philanthropy was a major force behind the library system in America. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carnegie_library https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carnegie_library > but many of its adherents simply don't. To the extent that is true is irrelevant in complaining about libertarianism - it's a variation of the ad hominem logical fallacy. It's also true that many self-described libertarians have only a hazy idea of what it is.
- sbarre 11y agoOne could say that many self-described "libertarians" are really just "selfish and greedy", but that doesn't sound as nice.
- WalterBright 11y agoSelfish and greedy applies to many (if not most) of the adherents to each political philosophy. It's hardly a coincidence they pick one they believe would benefit themselves the most, and politicians sell them to voters that way. I.e. the canonical "chicken in every pot".
- loki49152 11y agoYou have the misguided ideas that there is such a thing as "the social contract", that society's impositions and thefts are "investments", and that, ultimately, those who oppose the infliction of subservience have some obligation to leave rather than stay and fight for their rightful freedom. By your logic, any slave who didn't run away from a plantation was "accepting a social contract" and had no right to complain about his state.