Subject:
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Re: Libertopia - unproven theory
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.off-topic.debate
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Date:
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Sat, 2 Dec 2000 12:02:41 GMT
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Viewed:
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174 times
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Welcome back Ed!
In lugnet.off-topic.debate, Ed Jones writes:
> You can debate the benefits and drawbacks of Libertopia all you want.
> The fact is that it is still only a pipedream. The majority of
> Americans would never elect <Ed's characterization of the LP>
True enough. In fact, they won't even elect *the LP's* characterization of
the LP, which is far more accurate and far more flattering.
Libertopia is still only a pipedream, an ideal society.
Two points though. Does "still"=="always and forever"? That is, does the
fact that country U at time T under conditions X won't select L imply that
no society ever at any time under any conditions will ever select L? Stated
that way, it's over generalization. And therefore false.
But stipulate that to be true for a moment. As a -topia, Libertopia is an
ideal. (it is not *perfection*, there is no Utopia, it is merely
libertarians (fragmented, incomplete and inconsistent because we're a
disagreeable bunch) statement of the best possible system)
Is it a valid debating and instructional technique to discuss a (stipulated
never to be adopted) ideal system, even it is not quite consistent, as a way
to understand and improve practical systems? I say yes. We have analogues in
the physical sciences, in statistical analysis, in economic analysis and
yes, even elsewhere in political science.
And as the world moves more and more in the libertarian direction ("the era
of big government is over" - Bill Clinton) it becomes more important than
ever to explore how non governmental systems can and should provide the
things we all agree are good.
Not necessarily here, this is not a hub of political thought that the
outside world recognises, we're more dilettantes having fun with ideas, but
not necessarily NOT here either.
++Lar
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Message has 1 Reply:
 | | Re: Libertopia - unproven theory
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| (...) Thanks! (...) [snip] (...) Not in my dictionary. Still == remains to be. [snip] (...) I agree, but this debate, along with abortion and Lego vs. Legos, have been beat to death. I haven't seen any coverts on either side of any of those (...) (24 years ago, 2-Dec-00, to lugnet.off-topic.debate)
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Message is in Reply To:
| | Libertopia - unproven theory
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| You can debate the benefits and drawbacks of Libertopia all you want. The fact is that it is still only a pipedream. The majority of Americans would never elect a party that would base governmental, social service or public education funding on the (...) (24 years ago, 2-Dec-00, to lugnet.off-topic.debate)
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