From: Hal Finney (hal@finney.org)
Date: Thu Mar 20 2003 - 21:56:46 MST
Mike Lorrey writes:
> War is a area that illustrates that much libertarian theory is only
> useful when you apply it to an entirely libertarian world (i.e. a
> fictional universe, at present). Strict libertarian theory does little
> to allow one to rationally or effectively deal with a semi- to
> non-libertarian world full of many anti-libertarian actors...
There is a distinction between libertarians and anarchists. Most
libertarians believe that government should exist and take on certain
limited, well-defined functions. Usually national defense is among them.
It's a classic public good. So there's no inconsistency between a
libertarian society and a strong national defense.
Then there's always the strategy depicted in Vernor Vinge's short story
The Ungoverned, where individual citizens arm themselves using the kind of
advanced weaponry that most governments forbid their citizens to possess.
It's not clear whether that would work as well in practice as it was
depicted in fiction though.
Hal
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