Maintaining Laisser Faire

Political Philosophy
1

In communism government is involved with business, religion, etc. Although laisser faire capitalism looks ideal on paper, what is to stop business, religion, etc., from gaining to much power and getting involved in government.

I realize that if everything were ideal, and mankind was 100% rational all of the time then laisser faire capitalism would work, however, it must be made apparent that humans are not allways 100% rational.

IF a company, or a religion were to gain to much control in a laisser faire society, what would stop them from overtaking government and inflicting their altruist ideals on everyone else.

Do we simple have a large millitary? and if that is the case, what is to stop a rich businessman from using his money to bribe the millitary to be under his control?

If, and once, we achieve lassier faire capitalism, how do we maintain it ?

If some one could please respond to my question with reason and explination I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you in advance.

2

If it is demonstrated that they are violating the rights of others then laws, police, and the courts would stop them. Otherwise it is competition, and the laws of supply and demand, economics that keep business “in line”. Why would customers choose to deal with a company that is “abusing” them in some way? Another company that would better suit the customers’ needs would quickly pop up and take its place.

3

I realize that if everything were ideal, and mankind was 100% rational all of the time then laisser faire capitalism would work, however, it must be made apparent that humans are not allways 100% rational.

It must also be made apparent that there has never been a true laissez-faire regime in history before. It is no coincidence: the rationality of a society and the political system it coincides with are corollaries. That people are not 100% rational all the time is a man-made fact, and so it is within man’s power to change. It is true that laissez-faire won’t work so long as people CHOOSE to be irrational. It is precisely when and to the extent that people are rational, however, that the moral philosophy and political system triumphs. Where people are rational, it will give rise to a better society. Where they don’t, it won’t.

4

That people are not 100% rational all the time is a man-made fact, and so it is within man’s power to change. It is true that laissez-faire won’t work so long as people CHOOSE to be irrational.

Um, actually it will. The rights-respecting nature of true laissez-faire capitalism prevents abuses. It does not prevent irrationality (or require rationality), it simply means that no one is removed from suffering the penalties of irrationality or the benefits of rationality. Laissez-faire capitalism means that those who choose to exercise their powers of reason and rationality are not bound and destroyed by those that don’t.

No one can guarantee that men will think, you can only remove the impediments that prevent them from doing so. Regulations, REGARDLESS of their nature, can only result in sacrificing some men to others, and this ALWAYS means sacrificing good men to bad.

5

Um, actually it will.  The rights-respecting nature of true laissez-faire capitalism prevents abuses.  It does not prevent irrationality (or require rationality), it simply means that no one is removed from suffering the penalties of irrationality or the benefits of rationality.  Laissez-faire capitalism means that those who choose to exercise their powers of reason and rationality are not bound and destroyed by those that don’t.

When I said that laissez-faire couldn’t happen in an irrational society, I was speaking in the sense that laissez-faire is a rational system, and it would require rational people to support and vote for it, and a rational government to adhere to it. Laissez-faire doesn’t happen by itself.

EDIT: Fixed bad quote.

6

Is it safe then to say that laisser faire is a theory such as communism that works on paper, but will not work in real life due to the irrationality of certain individuals?

I see how laisser faire capitalism can work even if there are irrational people, but how can it work if the rational are the minority ?

The problem I see is that if we were to move into a total laisser fair society, we may just move in a circle back into a mixed economy. Yes, there is a millitary to stop people from taking control, but there is nothing to stop a big businessman from influencing irrational soldiers to join him in taking power by brute force.

It is to my understanding that in a lassier faire society the government is extremely reduced in size (becuase there is no need for a big government); but due to the small size of government doesnt this put it at the risk and whim of any body who wants to obtain enough power ?

I realize that this post is somewhat disconjointed, but bear with me !

Thanks.

Kevin

7

Is it safe then to say that laisser faire is a theory such as communism that works on paper, but will not work in real life due to the irrationality of certain individuals?

Communism doesn’t “work” period. It is contradictory to the facts of reality and can only harm man’s life.

Laissez-faire can work, but people have to choose it. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a majority, but there has to be a force out there that is rational and that can establish a government restricted to protecting individual rights. There also has to be enough rationality among people to permit such a government to take root in the first place.

8

The problem I see is that if we were to move into a total laisser fair society, we may just move in a circle back into a mixed economy. Yes, there is a millitary to stop people from taking control, but there is nothing to stop a big businessman from influencing irrational soldiers to join him in taking power by brute force.

What is preventing that from happening now? What has prevented it in the past? The government exists to PROTECT rights, and the criminal element in any society is tiny until and unless they are given the RIGHT to use force against others.

The guardians of laissez-faire capitalism are the intellectuals, who understand its moral base and provide a moral sanction for the men who wish to live and deal with one another by means of trade. A military and police force is required to keep the barbarians at bay, but all that is really needed for it to “work” is someone who is willing and able to identify barbarians.

9

all that is really needed for it to “work” is someone who is willing and able to identify barbarians.

Actually, you need an overwhelming majority of people in the country to identify the barbarians as such. Only then will the retaliatory use of force by the government against them be allowed as justified.

10

Not at all. That’s one of the beauties of the American system, in fact. Just this month six or seven judges and ten or twelve policemen held back mobs of screaming, violent “Pro-Life” protestors in the Terri Shiavo case through sheer moral rectitude and a refusal to compromise on the principle of law.

11

In communism government is involved with business, religion, etc. Although laisser faire capitalism looks ideal on paper, what is to stop business, religion, etc., from gaining to much power and getting involved in government.

Every where Capitalism has been attempted, it has given prosperity and growth to it’s people. Everywhere Communism was attempted, brought decay and death.

I realize that if everything were ideal, and mankind was 100% rational all of the time then laisser faire capitalism would work, however, it must be made apparent that humans are not allways 100% rational.

which is why such a state would retain it’s police and judiciary systems. Don’t mistake true Laissez-faire Capitalism with Anarcho-capitalism.

Capitalism does not REQUIRE everyone to be rational (though it does require rationality to be a virtue in order to be successful) and it prevents people from becoming successful irrationally (I.E moochers and looters)

IF a company, or a religion were to gain to much control in a laisser faire society, what would stop them from overtaking government and inflicting their altruist ideals on everyone else.

the government retains a monopoly on force. Remember that a single jet fighter can cost billions of dollars. Not even Microsoft could dream about financing a military overthrow against the government. Even if these organizations were to try to infiltrate the government via subterfuge, they would be unable to alter the government in their favor due to a solid constitution which does not allow rights to be vioated, period. None of this living document crap that most leftists trumpet, my rights will never be subjected to mob rule.

Do we simple have a large millitary? and if that is the case, what is to stop a rich businessman from using his money to bribe the millitary to be under his control?

what stops them from doing that now?

If, and once, we achieve lassier faire capitalism, how do we maintain it ?

Though a court of laws that maintains and interprets the natural rights of man, a domestic security that protects it’s citizens against it’s irrational members, and a foreign security force to repel foreign threats.

And more importantly, an underlying philosophy of reason, rationality, and self-interest.

12

But the fact is that a majority of the people in this country believe that Terri should be allowed to die – all the press to the contrary notwithstanding.

13

This mythical “majority” of which you speak doesn’t have any say as to whether these judges will uphold the law or not. Only the judges decide that, and they have UNANIMOUSLY done so. The religious fanatics have certainly been more vocal (especially with death-threats) than the majority that doesn’t care.

14

Who do you think controls the process that puts those judges on those benches (if not voting for them outright)?

15

So, your essential point is that the only thing judges care about is whether they get reelected or appointed or whatever?