[net.politics] the Sykora-Sevener debate...

jj@alice.UUCP (06/04/85)

> From allegra!ulysses!mhuxr!mhuxt!houxm!whuxl!orb Wed Dec 31 19:00:00 1969
> 
> > From jj:
> > ...
> > (ihnp4/allegra)!alice!jj
> 
> You are right to make the distinction between support of policies
> *because* they are rascist and support of policies *regardless of* the
> fact they are rascist.  Mr. Sykora's argument in support of 
> "employers rights" is definitely the latter. But the exact same argument
Um, I don't think that's exactly the case, but it's a secondary point.
The question of responsibility also affects the employer, ...
> was indeed used against the whole Civil Rights Movement and in arguments
> that people had every right to force blacks to stay at the back of the bus,
> not to let prominent black musicians eat in the very places they were
This is quite true.  If you explain to someone why what he or she
is doing is rascist, and you get a sophistic or rude answer, then
you've garnered information that leads you to believe that the person
is doing such deliberately. If you finally become convinced that
the person is dealing in bad faith, you are  under
no compulsion to assume otherwise. *BUT*  If you get a reply what says "well,
the reason I started is x, and I could stop if y", then you've got
grounds to work from.
> performing,etc. I find support for such discrimination a tacit support for
> rascism.  It is yet another example which demonstrates that Libertarian ideology
> or ideologues have no concern for the actual outcomes or fairness of
> the policies they espouse. If rascism results, so be it according to Mr. Sykora.
> I still find this view abhorrent.
> Such acceptance of rascism and elitism is one of the things I find very
> distasteful about certain Libertarian ideologues.
>               tim sevener   whuxl!orb
I've argued that Libertarianism is a natural reaction to the
current trend away from personal responisibility.   The reply
that rascism would go away in a libertarian world
 is based on the ideal world, just like
the socialist utopia is based on a different ideal world.

Personally, I believe that a person should indeed have the right
to discriminate, however  the person should also be held responsibly for
discriminating.  Libertarians argue that economic results
would enforce the responsibility by making the person less
rich, ergo less powerful.  In this way, Libertarians are 
anti-discrimination.  It's not clear that the argument 
that economic pressure is an unavoidable outgrowth is
is well formed.  (In the ideal, yes, but personal
behavior and UNenlightened self-interest can make local
minima that can trap the system, so to speak.)  If you
disagree with the Libertarian conclusion, it is possible to
enforce responsibility on those who DO discriminate without
antagonizing those who would help, if they weren't forced
into an adversary position.

As an aside, this discussion shows the results when a
question hinging on ideals becomes cluttered with personal
attacks.  A personal attack is unresolvable.  A disagreement
over goals and/or ideals can be resolved.

Enough said.

Mike?  Are you there?
-- 
TEDDY BEARS HAVE LIMITED PATIENCE! THEY DO EVENTUALLY GET HUNGRY!
"Let us remember my cat, Geoffrey, ..."

(ihnp4/allegra)!alice!jj