I remember writing a political philosophy paper in undergrad and actually thinking “but if I use this argument, then I can’t argue for Anarcho-Capitalism anymore.”
Out of curiosity, can you remember what the argument was (being sympathetic to the AnCap view myself, and it’s always a good idea to expose yourself to the things that changed the minds of those who used to agree with you)?
EDIT: I should say I have no interest in debating the point here, I’m just curious about what it was.
I don’t recall the argument, and whatever it was I don’t think it has anything to do with my current position (which in any case is not AnCap). I can, however, give my nutshell argument against AnCap, since you’re seeking alternative views.
Againt rights-based AnCap, a la Murray Rothbard: how are the first property right actually established? The Lockean metaphor is flowery and beautiful, but still just a metaphor. Ultimately, the theory has no normative teeth and has to take its most important premise as an axiom. Also, consequences matter.
Against pragmatic AnCap, a la David Friedman: My prior is fairly heavily against AnCap being the most efficient (or even more efficient, or even possible) and while Friedman does provide evidence to move the posterior in favor of his hypothesis, it doesn’t do enough to change my mind. Not that I don’t think experiments such as seasteading shouldn’t be tried, mind you—the information is certainly valuable. There’s just very little direct evidence to update the prior at this point.
Out of curiosity, can you remember what the argument was (being sympathetic to the AnCap view myself, and it’s always a good idea to expose yourself to the things that changed the minds of those who used to agree with you)?
EDIT: I should say I have no interest in debating the point here, I’m just curious about what it was.
I don’t recall the argument, and whatever it was I don’t think it has anything to do with my current position (which in any case is not AnCap). I can, however, give my nutshell argument against AnCap, since you’re seeking alternative views.
Againt rights-based AnCap, a la Murray Rothbard: how are the first property right actually established? The Lockean metaphor is flowery and beautiful, but still just a metaphor. Ultimately, the theory has no normative teeth and has to take its most important premise as an axiom. Also, consequences matter.
Against pragmatic AnCap, a la David Friedman: My prior is fairly heavily against AnCap being the most efficient (or even more efficient, or even possible) and while Friedman does provide evidence to move the posterior in favor of his hypothesis, it doesn’t do enough to change my mind. Not that I don’t think experiments such as seasteading shouldn’t be tried, mind you—the information is certainly valuable. There’s just very little direct evidence to update the prior at this point.