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When it comes to it, I think Libertarianism goes hand in hand with a sort of weighing principle. It only works as long as the actions taken do not infringe on a
by johngunderman 18y ago
When it comes to it, I think Libertarianism goes hand in hand with a sort of weighing principle. It only works as long as the actions taken do not infringe on any other individual's rights. Of course, this is impossible to always follow (rights will always conflict), so in steps the weighing principle to encourage people to act towards the perceived greater good of society. The real question that libertarianism brings up is, who enforces the weighing principle? This is the point at which libertarianism must merge with some sort of governmental structure. Because even though it would be great if everyone just followed the rules, it just isn't going to happen.
- grandalf 18y agoLibertarians generally tend toward a property rights framework to handle things like this, as opposed to a "greater good" framework. In other words, if you put toxic waste on your property, that's fine UNLESS it leaks onto someone else's property. So there is no need to open the discussion of how pollution impacts the greater good, because polluters just can't harm the neighbours' good! The perverse incentive for planners to identify the "greater good" is the same as the way priests and religious leaders do so -- and they are likely to shake their finger just as judgementally.