debating libertarians

[Jacob Segal]

>Max Sawicky wrote:
>
>> >
>> > Has anyone on the list debated libertarians? What kinds of arguments
>> > should we expect to encounter from the other participants? What kinds of
>> > arguments do libertarians have problems with. Any references to studies
>> > articles or books would be helpful. Especially regarding privatization
>> > or government intervention vs libertarian style free markets. I also
>>
>> My best short, quick answer is there are two basic vulnerabilities:
>
>I would add another one. Emphasize that property rights and enforcement of
>contracts and financial claims are nothing more than social constructs.
>There is
>nothing "natural" about them. Animals have no concept of them; every time my
>wimp of a dog takes a toy to the park, it (the toy) ends up going home with a
>bigger dog. The libertarians' position that these social constructs must be
>enforced by the state, but all others, such as minimum wage or social security,
>must not, regardless of the democratically expressed will of the people, is
>essentially authoritarian and quasi-fascist. And given that every libertarian
>I've ever met was at least upper middle class, a self-serving one; the state
>shouldn't do anything, except for those things from which I personally benefit.
>
>>
>> mbs

A terrific debating point (well known of course) along these lines from
Polanyi, The Great Transformation:  "Laissez-Faire was invented."

Jacob Segal