Libertarianism In A Nutshell

Brad DeLong lends us this analysis of Nozickian Libertarianism:

1. The only criterion for justice is: what's mine is mine, and nobody can rightly take it from me. Only by my uncoerced consent does it cease to be my property.
2. Something becomes mine if I make it.
3. Something becomes mine if I trade for it with you, if it is yours and if you are a responsible adult.
4. Something is mine if I take it from the common stock of nature as long as I leave enough for latecomers to also take what they want from the common stock of nature.
5. Eventually, everything is owned; without an enforcement mechanism, nothing prevents each individual from depleting the common stock of nature.
6. Latecomers would be poorer under any other system (be it a statist system of intervention and regulation, or an anarchic situation in which nobody owns any property),
7. Therefore a monopolistic corporatist dystopia is the most moral outcome. In fact, it is the only possible moral outcome.

There are two points at which this argument falls apart: the first in the lack of an enforcement regimen in all points of the discussion, from the ability to determine who is "a responsible adult" capable of trading, to limiting the taking from the common stock of nature leaving enough for future generations. The definition of "latecomer" makes no consideration for circumstances. And finally, there is the assertion, deep in the middle, that "latecomers would be poorer under any other system." This assertion is pure and unadulterated: there is no attempt to back it up or justify it. It just is.

But if you believe that this kind of stuff is beyond the pale, realize this: Members of Congress believe it as gospel.

Just who are you addressing with that bumper sticker, sir?

There are several different classes of bumper sticker. There is, of course, the allegiance-to-a-cause bumper sticker, epitomized by the various political and religious bumper stickers. Subclasses include the more threatening evangelical ones like, "If you're living as if there is no God, you'd better be right!" and the positioning oneself as a do-gooder "There's no excuse for domestic violence" variety. Both of these still advertise the user's allegiance to a cause, and that's still their main function.

Then, of course, there are the humor and philosophy category. "What if the hokey-pokey really is what it's all about?" and "I love cats. Wanna trade recipes?" fall into this category. The idea is that the sticker brought a smile to the reader's face, and he hopes it will to yours as well.

But then, today, I saw this sticker: "It's time for you to pull over and change the air in your head." That's neither funny nor philosophical. To whom is it addressed? To every driver except the man behind the wheel?

At best, it proclaims allegiance to the subcommunity best known as "dickheads."