Hi All
On 30 May 2001, at 22:52, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
> ROG:
> Yea, I remember. I was hoping you would join in. (and I still need an
> explanation of Horse's Libertarian socialism, but I can't seem to incite him
> to join in to the depth I was hoping)
OK Rog - consider me sufficiently incited to try and clarify this particular political
position. I'm
not sure why it should appear such an odd position any more than someone else being a
christian democrat, a liberal democrat or whatever but the last time I described
myself thus a
number of people seemed to think I'd gone a bit strange(r!).
Anyway I think it fits in perfectly well with the MoQ, in fact I don't really
understand why more
MOQites don't declare themselves to be of this persuasion.
As a Socialist I believe that the state is required to provide and maintain a number
of
services and provide certain functionality. This includes but is not limited to the
judiciary,
military, utilities(electricity, gas water etc.), health services, transport
infrastructure, education
system and welfare/benefits system system. The Socialist state should act for the
benefit of
it's members, contrasting with the Fascist state which acts for the benefit of
industrial
concerns. I don't believe that the state needs to own all of the means of production
but
certainly a sufficient amount to ensure it's ability to provide basic services and
functions.
As a Libertarian I believe that individuals have certain rights which are not subject
to
interference in any form by the state. Free association, freedom of expression,
freedom of
speech etc. The individual can speak and act freely whilst ensuring that certain
actions do
not harm the Social base or other individuals - drink driving, drug addiction acts of
violence
etc. - although if the individual chooses to harm itself, then in many cases this is
pretty much
acceptable. I do not believe that anything goes and that the individual should be
completely
unrestrained - except in intellectual terms where, in line with the MoQ, this is the
case.
So as a Libertarian Socialist I would have thought that my position is fairly clear
and
corresponds with the MoQ. The state provides the basis for the Intellect to flourish
as it
manifests itself in the individual whilst controlling the biological aspects of the
individual. The
individual can behave freely without fear of reprisal or censure as long as it's
behaviour does
not harm society - with the exception of intellectual activity.
This is not an overly detailed outline of my interpretation of Libertatrian Socialism
as
otherwise it would run to an awfully long post. My position does differ from some
other
interpretations as it is strongly influenced by the MoQ. If you read On Liberty by JS
Mill you'll
see this as the starting point for much of what I believe is a reasonable and
achievable
position - with a huge dose of Pirsig inserted.
If you have any other questions I'll be glad to provide answers as and when I can.
Horse
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