Mixed Economies Rule, Libertarian Capitalism and Communism Both Suck

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Taxation without consent is a cute phrase, but it's redundant. To levy a tax is to make an implicit or explicit threat should the demand not be fulfilled. Should the option to opt out of benefits create a scenario in which the benefit to the group is wiped out or unduly diminished, the option should not be available or should be penalized as necessary. This is what it means to be social creatures. You didn't get a choice where you were born? Too bad, life isn't fair.

The primacy of the individual is an interesting concept, but ultimately it is unworkable. We are social beings. The primacy of the group is the appropriate axiom here.

[wufwugy]

The primacy of the individual is an interesting concept, but ultimately it is unworkable. We are social beings. The primacy of the group is the appropriate axiom here.

The observation by the first renowned philosopher of economics (Adam Smith) that essentially spawned the field was how it is interaction between individual preferences that create group success.

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The observation by the first renowned philosopher of economics (Adam Smith) that essentially spawned the field was how it is interaction between individual preferences that create group success.

I'm trying to find the point here.

[wufwugy]

I'm trying to find the point here.

The group is better off when the individual takes primacy. This is for a lot of reasons, but a starting point for explaining why is that everybody is an individual, so everybody "takes primacy", and they compete, which makes the cream rise to the top and improve everything for everybody.

[spoonitnow]

The primacy of the individual is an interesting concept, but ultimately it is unworkable. We are social beings. The primacy of the group is the appropriate axiom here.

This is the [incorrect] line of thinking that leads to communism, true fascism and shit like the Holocaust.

The primacy of the individual is the only thing that allows a group to flourish. Without that, you cannot have a functional society, which has been proven repeatedly throughout history.

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This is the [incorrect] line of thinking that leads to communism, true fascism and shit like the Holocaust.

The primacy of the individual is the only thing that allows a group to flourish. Without that, you cannot have a functional society, which has been proven repeatedly throughout history.

For essentially none of history was the primacy of the individual held to be true. Limited individual rights serve the interests of the group.

At times these rights have been fought for, tooth and nail, using primacy of the individual arguments. I'm glad these fights were fought and that we get to enjoy the individual rights they were fought over, but the success of limited rights is not evidence in support of the primacy of the individual.

[spoonitnow]

For essentially none of history was the primacy of the individual held to be true. Limited individual rights serve the interests of the group.

At times these rights have been fought for, tooth and nail, using primacy of the individual arguments. I'm glad these fights were fought and that we get to enjoy the individual rights they were fought over, but the success of limited rights is not evidence in support of the primacy of the individual.

Men are born with rights. To the degree to which those rights are limited, men live in tyranny, and right now, you're defending tyranny.

[wufwugy]

Men are born with rights. To the degree to which those rights are limited, men live in tyranny, and right now, you're defending tyranny.

One of the best things I ever learned in college was something I wasn't exactly "supposed" to learn, but I did nonetheless because I pay attention to the concepts and data of what is taught.

That thing is that the American Constitution innovation -- which was new to the world at the time -- was prohibition of government power over the individual in a handful of areas. Quite seriously before the US Constitution, every country had unlimited government rights. America was the first to limit government power by law.

And as we have seen from economic history since then, adoption of limited government institutions leads to explosion of prosperity.

[wufwugy]

people love themselves freedom of speech. they think government grants it and that's why we have it. no, freedom of speech is a prohibition of government to intervene in speech, not something the state gives like a parent gives a child an allowance.

this is one of the essential confusions that people hold about politics and societies. they think that rights and freedoms derive from some sort of entitlement and authority. no, they derive from limiting the power the state has over the individual.

[forkitnow]

people love themselves freedom of speech. they think government grants it and that's why we have it. no, freedom of speech is a prohibition of government to intervene in speech, not something the state gives like a parent gives a child an allowance.

this is one of the essential confusions that people hold about politics and societies. they think that rights and freedoms derive from some sort of entitlement and authority. no, they derive from limiting the power the state has over the individual.

Freedom of speech is a meme perpetuated by heterosexual cisgender white men in order to silence the speech of the oppressed.

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Freedom of speech is a meme perpetuated by heterosexual cisgender white men in order to silence the speech of the oppressed.

REVERSE COLONIZED

[wufwugy]

For essentially none of history was the primacy of the individual held to be true. Limited individual rights serve the interests of the group.

If we're using history, there is very strong evidence that it's the limiting of individual rights that subdued the group, and the adoption of individual rights that empowered the group.