[lbo-talk] How to explain things to (right-wing) libertarians

Tayssir John Gabbour tayssir.john at googlemail.com
Fri Mar 30 20:57:24 PDT 2007


On 3/31/07, Matt <lbo4 at beyondzero.net> wrote:
> On Fri, Mar 30, 2007 at 06:17:27PM +0200, Tayssir John Gabbour wrote:
> > I asked a well-known science prof why right-wing libertarians are
> > unusually represented in the tech world. He opined that many bright,
> > upwardly mobile students didn't see why they should care about
> > others.
>
> I do not agree with this characterization. I am sure random examples
> from the fringe could be found online, but Doug has mentioned before
> that Reason Mag represents probably the most thoughtful analysis done
> from a libertarian perspective.

To be clear, we were specifically discussing engineers. Dunno whether that affects your point, though...

We can make similar critiques within any -ism. So for example, some anarchists openly discuss elitist, conspiracy theorist, and violent streaks within anarchism. In fact, it's probably best to hold those you agree with (and yourself!) to a higher standard of honesty


> Most libertarians do care about others and can make arguments that
> their beliefs can generate safety, peace, and liberty for as many
> people as possible.

Well, they are human beings, which means they have human sympathy for others in personal matters. However, that also holds true for even the worst cases, like supporters of chattel slavery. The sharpest illustration I know comes from Mark Twain describing his mother's attitude:

"She had never heard it assailed in any pulpit, but had heard it

defended and sanctified in a thousand. As far as her experience

went, the wise, the good, and the holy were unanimous in the

belief that slavery was right, righteous, sacred, the peculiar pet

of the Deity, and a condition which the slave himself ought to be

daily and nightly thankful for."

But sure, right-wing libertarians are admirable on a number of issues. Their consistency on negative rights (except maybe when it comes to property) means I agree with them on a range of issues. And they typically don't do loony things like call a fellow US citizen "unamerican." Certainly things to learn from...


> If those arguments are empirically flawed then there's no reason not
> to discuss it with them.
>
> Antiwar causes alone ought to make this worthwhile, since lunatics
> like the Bush admin having power over the world's largest military and
> economy eclipse any threat from libertarians.

Definitely. They're good on the Iraq conflict. (Though I'm not sure about "cold wars" and overthrow of Venezuelan and Cuban govt's...)

I discuss with right-wing libertarians all the time. Not that I'm any sort of expert on them.

Tayssir



More information about the lbo-talk mailing list