[net.politics.theory] Example of libertarianism in action

eder@ssc-vax.UUCP (Dani Eder) (02/14/85)

> 
> > If you find a solution, particularly a solution with empirical
> > evidence that shows that the solution works, come see us Libertarians.
> > So far, the Libertarian solution is the only one that has ever worked.
> 
> ??? What empirical evidence?  When has the Libertarian solution
> actually been implemented?  If you could point us heathen to a
> real example of libertarianism in action, past or present, you
> might be able to clear up a lot of what you say are misconceptions
> about what libertarianism entails.
> 
> Gary Samuelson

     The United States prior to the 1930's had pretty trivial 
government.  During that era it evolved from a third world nation
to the pre-eminent nation of the world, with the highest standard
of living.  For further evidence, I refer you to studies done by
the American Institute for Economic Research, a non-profit 
institute.  They found that for nations in general, the less
government intervention in the economy, the faster the economic
growth in that country.   

Dani Eder/  ssc-vax!eder / Boeing

gam@amdahl.UUCP (gam) (02/17/85)

Another overlooked example of Libertarianism is:  Standards
Committees.  Independent businesses and other interested parties
coming together to agree on standards for their industry --
*because it is benificial for all to do so, and those who don't
care don't participate*.

Seems that some forms of Libertarianism still arrise naturally.
-- 
Gordon A. Moffett		...!{ihnp4,hplabs,sun}!amdahl!gam

stanwyck@ihlpa.UUCP (Don Stanwyck) (02/18/85)

> Another overlooked example of Libertarianism is:  Standards Committees.
> Independent businesses and other interested parties coming together to agree
> on standards for their industry -- *because it is benificial for all to do so,
> and those who don't care don't participate*.
> Gordon A. Moffett		...!{ihnp4,hplabs,sun}!amdahl!gam

As one who has been and is continuing to be involved with standards groups, I
assure you that one reason some don't participate is that a) standards work
moves too slowly, b) standards work costs too much to participate in, and c)
the resulting standards, based on political compromise rather than technical
merit, often are difficult if not impossible to implement, or simply are the
least common denominator of the involved parties capabilities.

If this is an example of Libertarianism at work, may it never become the
standard operation of government - though it is, I suppose, no worse than
what we have. 

rdz@ccice5.UUCP (Robert D. Zarcone) (02/19/85)

> 
>      The United States prior to the 1930's had pretty trivial 
> government.  During that era it evolved from a third world nation
> to the pre-eminent nation of the world, with the highest standard
> of living.  For further evidence, I refer you to studies done by
> the American Institute for Economic Research, a non-profit 
> institute.  They found that for nations in general, the less
> government intervention in the economy, the faster the economic
> growth in that country.   
> 
> Dani Eder/  ssc-vax!eder / Boeing

I will agree with you if you are talking about just economic intervention
(fiscal, monetary, etc.).  However, one could argue that many of the "land
grab" wars of the Nineteenth century had a versy strong influence on
economic growth.  I think that can certainly be defined as a form of
government *assistance* in the economy.

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