Still struggling with some of the consequences in giving up my Social Democratic convictions… Started a reddit for it to get some help with the “thinking”. It’s in the IamA section titled “I’m a former Social Democrat who turned to libertarianism”. Some of the questions raised are pretty interesting. Feel free to join in and submit answers.
Be thankful that this forum exists. In my opinion, you will get much farther discussing anarcho-capitalism here than anywhere else. Btw, some of the entries people made on your blog are really annoying. [:@]
“A little learning is a dangerous thing; drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring: there shallow draughts intoxicate the brain, and drinking largely sobers us again.”
Alexander Pope (1688 - 1744)
Can you paste the questions you don’t have a ready answer for here?
Consequences being…that the fog of socialism has been lifted from your mind? Mises.org is definitely the place to deepen your understanding of sound economics and liberty. Lewrockwell.com will deepen your political understanding of libertarianism. Have you found the “Literature” and “Media” sections on the Mises home page?
Please post your specific questions here so we can respond. I read the first reply on the link you provided; it was full of straw men.
Welcome, and please ask questions.
Welcome. I went through the same process some months ago. Sometimes its a bit emotional, but it is great. It feels great to know what really is going on in the world and not being fooled by demogogues and politicians.
which one of your beliefs are you having trouble giving up?
democracy?
egalitarianism?
welfare state?
"Only a big benevolent government "
oxymoron.
" fairness."
define fairness.
“At the same time I have always been somewhat of an anarchist. Rules give me a rash.”
You can’t be anarchist since that conflicts with the above statement. Maybe you mean an anti-authoritarian?
I found this on your blog by someone called Pilebsa
“specifically the anarcho-capitalist version that is championed by people like Rand and Paul”
who is this guy? In what world does Ron Paul champion anarcho-capitalism? read a book once in a while huh?
@Scott F. I’m not sure what your point is. Maybe my reddit was unclear. It tries to tell about my past views which came with contradictions.
It’s OK, I used to be a falangista.
Consequences being that deeply felt views must be left behind.
It was quite a while since I found Mises.org, I podcast it too and find it extremely well spent time to listen. A few days ago they started to cast recorded lectures of Murray Rothbard himself even. Wonderful. I had pictured him as an angry and grumpy man, yet the professor holding the lecture sounds happy and full of humor. Lew Rockwell is another person I gladly listen to and read. I totally loved his speech where he tells about the life of Ludwig von Mises and tells us to follow on the same path.
What’s the libertarian take on some issues that seem to call for collectivist answers? Like scarce environmental resources. If someone pollutes the air for the rest of us.
Also, I’m convinced that private ownership of things like railways is the way to go. But here in Sweden that seems to be impossible for people even to consider. I know Walter Block has written about things like this, but I haven’t gotten around to read his work yet. What would be your take on a question like that?
Yes, I’ve been listening to those too!
If you feel like doing some reading, here is some material by Murray Rothbard.
My views were socialistic at one time. My only regret is that I wasted years of life holding on to such ideas.
I searched Mises Literature, there is an entire category called “Natural Sciences and the Environment”. Here are some selections:
http://mises.org/etexts/environfreedom.pdf
Thanks. Not easily digested, but good reading anyway. Maybe I’ll understand it better on the 20th read or so. =)
I got curious… Are there any research done on from where libertarianism recruits most often? This thread seems to imply it’s from socialism.
To clarify, it wasn’t that I was “recruited”. My belief system (socialism) came crashing down when I discovered it did not reflect reality. Liberty, and sound economics, do correspond to reality. There was a thread on your question, and I think many here came from a socialist background. Maybe you can find the thread.
I think people who found Mises.org came with a spectrum of political viewpoints. It was only when we came to educate ourselves and understand the principles of Austrian economics that it became clear that politics is just a shell-game and that liberty starts with free enterprise.
I wasn’t “recruited” either. And I would describe my awakening very similar to that; My belief system came crashing down. It was a deck of cards to begin with. I actually wonder how it could take such a long time for the fog to clear…
Sorry I only noticed a bit later that this was your past views but I didn’t mean any of those criticism’s personally I was just merely commenting.Sorry for any misunderstandings.
I find this interesting.It’s such a contrast from Libertarianism.
If I may ask,What made you become a fascist? and what made you break away from it?
Sorry if it seems I’m being nosy I’m just intrigued.
No worries. Then I see your point. =)
Defining fairness is interesting. Nobody ever does. At least not those who use the term most often here in Sweden.