[lbo-talk] negative freedoms

[John Thornton]

Carrol Cox wrote:
> John Thornton wrote:
>   
>
>   
>> Removal of institutional pressures doesn't eliminate other social
>> pressures directed towards conformity but no society can be free from
>> such pressures completely.
>>     
>
> Everyone recognizes that EXCEPT when they are talking about a social
> order they disapprove of. Then it is held up against a model of a
> society in which everyone does anything they want to do with no external
> pressure. This was implicit in the whole of a recent debate reference
> how to get people to work under socialism. Hence no one raised the
> obvious point that anyone who deliberately did less than her ability
> allowed would soon become a social outcast, and either change her ways
> or probably commit suicide from depression. And those who will
> immediately howl at this totalitarian horror will of course refuse to
> admit that under the present system we have _both_ slavery to wages AND
> slavery to such social pressure.
>
> Carrol

It would seem to me it's more accurate to label it under emphasizing 
than refusing to acknowledge.
This is the primary reason I think the free-rider problem is over 
emphasized in an idealized society that offers equal remuneration 
regardless of input or effort, after compensation for different needs, 
as the best route to leximin welfare opportunities. Maximize positive 
freedoms equally with minimizing negative freedoms.
Free-riding will occur, but we have no reason to believe it will be a 
significant portion of the population.
In a society with greatly reduced institutional pressures for conformity 
social pressures for conformity will probably increase.
Not proportionately in all likelihood but they will probably increase.
Eliminating (as far as is possible) institutional coercions to work is 
desirable but all coercions cannot be eliminated socially. Nor would it 
be desirable to try.
Free-riding should be tolerated but never approved and it's disapproval, 
while not institutionalized, should be made very clear.
Same for any self-destructive behaviour that doesn't directly pose harm 
to others.

John Thornton