Statist argument

Yoo friendos.

I am to write a paper on the (lack of) legitimacy of China’s One-Child Policy versus anarcho-capitalistic natural law. Till this I actually need some real horror show statist litterature and mind-blowing “arguments” on why it is that we in so-called cases of emergency (overpopulation in this instance) need a state to make all the right decisions for us. So, anyone know of some famous essay, column or likewise?

Thanks :slight_smile:

I think there are two broad angles you could take, and you might do well to do both.

firstly, you could explore the malthusian fears of overpopulation, and contrast that with the fact that the history of modern western civilisation is precisely the history of the civilization which broke the malthusian trap, and whose common people enjoy a quality of life on a par with former Roman Emporers.

secondly, you can cite the intervention into the family as an example of interventionism entailing progressively deepening interventions, as the undesired effects of policy are dealt with and give rise to yet further problems. what do the policy-makers make of the side-effects of 'one-child-policy. i.e. ageing population, boy-girl ratio’s; have they introduced other legislation ostensibly to address these? and the side effects of those? I know little about china, so these are open questions, but may be worth doing research into.

I’ll read up on malthusian fears of overpopulation. Good advice, thanks :slight_smile: However, this partiular assignment has to be a rather short one. I am only to focus on “why should the state be allowed to make this decision” - which it, off course, should not - and contrast it with natural law. I need some statist philosophical goof. I am not to concern with practical complications or consequences of this particular intervention.