Date: Wed, 18 Apr 2001 16:42:16 -0700
Subject: Re: kinds of anarchy


On 17 Apr 01, at 21:07, Michael Lewis wrote:

> on 4/17/01 6:08 PM, remotephone at remotephone-AT-yahoo.com wrote:
> 
> > it seems
> > to me that anarchy is anti-capitalism. were those
> > speaking of anarcho-capitalism mistaking it with
> > objectivism (randian stuff) or is there actually a
> > real sect of this kind?
> 
>     I've been toying with the anarcho-capitalists of late. They are a
>     real
> bunch of people, but they're not anarchists, they're economists or
> economics students in college.
> 
>     This strange twist of thinking has its origins in Ayn Rand
>     objectivism,
> even though the AC folks deny it vociferously. Their latest hero is

They are basically the radical anti-state fringe of the Libertarian 
Party. The Randites hate all factions of the Libertarian Party as 
only the truly religious can hate any heretic.

> Friedman, an academic economist who teaches economics but is not a
> working economist. Oh, he writes books, too. It's all wrapped up in
> postmodern hang-wringing, head-stuff, indoor philosophizing, ad-hoc,
> opportunistic definitions and arguing of the consequent. It's a wonder

Yep. That's it in a nutshell. More internal arguments and theorising 
than real life actions.

> these people can even brush their teeth, unable to distinguish between
> property and capital as they are.

That would be the big hangup. An inability to distinguish big C 
Capitalism and State monopolies from personal property and low 
key free markets.

> 
>     Talking with an AC economist is strangely like talking to yourself
>     on a
> room filled with rubber mirrors: everything bounces off but it comes
> back distorted and wiggly. Very bizarre. They're so used to talking to
> themselves they can't communicate with anyone outside their little
> inbred sect.

They agree that Government is evil, but they are blind to the fact 
that their policies would require re-inventing the State to implement.

> 
>     Pay them no heed.

Or possibly be aware of their blind spots, and use them.


Regards,

Kristopher K. Barrett