Almost Classical

The ongoing attempts to discredit "libertarianism" and "classical liberalism" are almost laughable, if so many smart people didn't uncritically accept the rhetoric: While libertarianism as a philosophy is superficial, juvenile nonsense, particular libertarian proposals are sometimes worthwhile on their merits. — from Michael Lind at Salon.com; http://www.salon.com/2013/06/13/grow_up_libertarians/ Again, Lind conflates the Libertarian Party with libertarian and classically liberal ideals. The ideas he argues are "libertarian" are not, they are the ideas of a political party or a specific politician (Ron Paul), neither of which I consider representative of my ideals or the ideals of the thinkers I admire. First, for me "classical liberalism" means one thing: freedom from government interference in my life; freedom from the threat of force and coercion to behave according to some majority idea of what is "best" for me. My liber...

Intelligent people, who should know better, are once again attacking "libertarianism" and "classical liberalism" by misrepresenting, selectively quoting, and personalizing a theory. In Salon, co-founder of the New America Foundation Michael Lind, offers a nonsensical critique of libertarianism by asking "The" question classical liberals cannot answer: The question libertarians just can't answer http://www.salon.com/2013/06/04/the_question_libertarians_just_cant_answer/ If your approach is so great, why hasn't any country anywhere in the world ever tried it? BY MICHAEL LIND; TUESDAY, JUN 4, 2013 12:17 PM EDT The Washington Post's E. J. Dionne, Jr., joins in, repeating the same nonsense. Libertarianism's Achilles' heel http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/ej-dionne-jr-libertarianisms-achilles-heel/2013/06/09/4dfd3c9c-cf8c-11e2-8f6b-67f40e176f03_story.html By E.J. Dionne Jr., Published: June 9 For balance, I also recom...

Repeatedly, I have written that "austerity" is not the source of problems in parts of Europe, since there hasn't been any real reduction in spending, no thoughtful labor reforms, and no general political reforms. Tax increases have certainly hurt in some nations, but overall the lack of serious change is the problem. Also consider Japan, where stimulus in the form of spending and monetary easing hasn't worked — though it is the "solution" proposed by many progressives. I'm not an absolutist, as the real solutions to economic stagnation are likely beyond simplistic and ideological adherence to any school of thought. Everything the Keynesians argue for, is and has been done. Yet, there is stagnation. The following article from Forbes  supports my views: 'Austerity' To Blame? But Where's The Austerity? http://www.forbes.com/sites/paulroderickgregory/2013/05/26/austerity-to-blame-but-wheres-the-austerity/ by Paul Roderick Gregory D...

While nobody would suggest that Europe is about to embrace the United States' model of social democracy, it seems obvious that some countries are meandering towards our limited safety-net model just as we are racing towards their failing democratic socialism. Germany began reforms nearly 15 years ago, and it is doing well. There are many other variables, and Germany is not America — or even Canada — but it is shifting towards a more flexible labor market and less "generous" social programs. Now, it seems Denmark is following the German lead. That's a big shift in thought, and one driven by the stark realization that the social safety-net is unsustainable. Consider this article from the New York Times: Danes Rethink a Welfare State Ample to a Fault http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/21/world/europe/danes-rethink-a-welfare-state-ample-to-a-fault.html COPENHAGEN — It began as a stunt intended to prove that hardship and poverty still existed in this small, wealthy cou...