I wonder if anyone can help me answer why a just government that raised money strictly through voluntary means could not initiate programs such as healthcare or libraries if the taxpayers were voluntarily willing to support them. Of course I understand why using coercion to do this is immoral, but there would be no coercion in this type of system. Is it because it would compete with the market? I can’t imagine that it would compete well.
I appreciate any responses.
If people want to contribute toward a non-profit organization which sets up libraries and hospitals and so on, they are definitely free to do so. This is what people will typically do, if left to their own devices. Many hospitals – around the world – were founded or funded by such non-profits. Carnegie did something similar with libraries.
In essence, you’re asking whether such non-profit organizations may be merged with government, which runs the police, army and courts. The answer is: no, it is not the role of government.
Is there any reason you think such a merger would be practical? Being run by a legitimate government would not give such organizations an advantage, because the government would not favor them, nor use any outside funds to help run them.
I had a similar discussion with someone who said that, at times, the government should provide some sort of safety net for vital companies, or provide some sort of helping hand to a company that will take the place of that failing company. For example, if Virgin Airlines and British Airways went under, the government should step in and provide a loan to another airline, to take the place of these bankrupted companies.
The problem is, of course, that you can’t just force people to act in their own interest. If it truely is rational for men to provide such a windfall, then they will do so. But there is no reason the government should do this. Men can privately invest, and receive interest on their investment once the new airline company is up and running.
People have this strange notion that the government has some magic power, where, if you give it money, it can somehow correct problems that private individuals couldn’t.
People are inculcated from birth to trust the government and distrust the private sector. I still have a lot of trouble believing that private industry won’t ultimately destroy the environment, although I’m sure governments can easily accomplish more destruction.
People are inculcated from birth to trust the government and distrust the private sector. I still have a lot of trouble believing that private industry won’t ultimately destroy the environment, although I’m sure governments can easily accomplish more destruction.
The greatest environmental disaster area was the former Soviet Union.