Are we seeing Anarchist Capitalism in the works?

[stepnw1f]

I just heard "Anarchist Capitalism" stated on the Guy James show. Are we amidst a chaotic knee-jerk reaction by an unfetered and deregulated Capitalistic period in America's history? Are we seeing the modern day version of the "Robber-Baron" hayday of the 20th century? I find it a potentionally interesting topic and would like to hear some insight from fellow DUers.

[Malva Zebrina]

1. I do not know.

I leave it up to the younger generation to be smart enough to parse this out. They will be the ones that will be shackled with the responsibility to fend complacency and excessive corporatism and capitalism off. It has the potential to be another great inspiration and revolution, but, if people get too fat and too lazy and too complacent in the power and riches that capitalism affords them in the quest to have and acquire every little toy inorder to looks as though they are
"successful" and they are in the "trendy groove" then there needs to be some sort of a reflection on it all.

A reflection is only possible if people are inclined to reject excessive capitalism.

That is, if they care at all and are not into being the fat, bread and circus, generation.

[DuctapeFatwa]

2. no, just a return to regular old feudalism

A traditional value.

[camero]

3. Already here

Doesn't it feel as if McKinley rose from the ashes?

Edit: Funny it would be on the Guy James show as a topic. I just posted about it and attacked it the other day.

[Mike Niendorff]

4. there is no such thing as "anarchist capitalism"

Anarchism, by definition, means the absence of government.

Capitalism, by contrast, cannot exist without a strong central government.

Such a government *must* be present in order to : define and enforce rights regarding property (both "real" and "intellectual"); to provide for the enforcement of contracts; to build, maintain and regulate the physical infrastructure of commerce (roads, bridges, ports, etc); to provide a binding forum (the courts) for settling disputes between businesses; etc, etc, etc.

Remove government, and all these things go away.

The upshot of which is this : when RWers talk about "eliminating government", they mean "eliminating those parts of the government that might conceivably help working people or the poor". Their redefinition of "anarchism" applies only to the rich. They're still very much in favor of strong authoritarian government when it comes to you and me.


MDN

[camero]

5. Thus you have libertarianism

Chomsky would disagree with your definitions.

Anarcho-capitalism, in my opinion, is a doctrinal system which, if ever implemented, would lead to forms of tyranny and oppression that have few counterparts in human history. There isn't the slightest possibility that its (in my view, horrendous) ideas would be implemented, because they would quickly destroy any society that made this colossal error. The idea of "free contract" between the potentate and his starving subject is a sick joke, perhaps worth some moments in an academic seminar exploring the consequences of (in my view, absurd) ideas, but nowhere else. I should add, however, that I find myself in substantial agreement with people who consider themselves anarcho-capitalists on a whole range of issues; and for some years, was able to write only in their journals. And I also admire their commitment to rationality -- which is rare -- though I do not think they see the consequences of the doctrines they espouse, or their profound moral failings.
Noam Chomsky

http://world.std.com/~mhuben/quotes.html

[Mike Niendorff]

7. "anarcho-capitalism" vs. "anarchist"

I'm definitely aware that LPers like to refer to themselves as "anarcho-capitalists". I just wanted to point out that it's really a dishonest label, because there's nothing at all "anarchist" about what they propose. It's really just a repackaged brand of authoritarianism, with a few anarcho-chic labels slapped onto it for sales purposes.


MDN

[camero]

8. You're right. I don't dispute that part

I just add that capitalism left unchecked is a form of economic anarchy. We're pretty much saying the same thing. :)

[shance]

6. So I guess that means we just have anarchy right now

Woohoo!!!

:)

[gold_bug]

9. anarcho-capitalism for the middle/working class

and a nanny state for the very wealthy. To paraphrase Chomsky... ;)