Libertarian Socialism, to most people, probably sounds like some ridiculous contradiction which could not possibly be an applicable form of government. The causation of this perception is that modern Americans automatically associate libertarianism with free-market laissez-faire economics, which is somewhat of a misnomer. It has only been in recent years that we have begun to define Libertarian systems of government as primarily capitalistic. Libertarian socialism is actually a system of government in which all social, political, and economic hierarchies are abolished along with all coercive authoritarian institutions and bureaucratic structures, or at least the power of those institutions are drastically reduced. The power would lie in the hands of municipalities, workers' councils, ect... and not in the hands of large corporations, bureaucratic structures, and authoritarian systems of government. It's essentially a form of anarchism.
So now that you have a basic understanding of what Libertarian Socialism is, if you didn't already, I would like to pose a question to you. Do you believe that a government structured in such a manner could sustain itself in a modern industrial context if it is run and maintained properly? I personally believe that the principles of the ideology, if applied in such a way that there is no deviation from the original precepts of the ideology, would be successful. Obviously certain geographic, social, and economic conditions would have to be met before such a system could be established but I see no reason why it would fail those ideal conditions are met.
Feel free to oppose my stance and debate the reasons why such a system of governance would be unsuccessful and what system of government you would prefer.
Liberterian Socialism
By ChrisC1221 - Posted on October 6th, 2008
Tagged: Effective Government
• Effective government
One time period really illustrates this ideology and that is Spain 1936. The anarchist movement thrived and was only taken down by communist and facist forces from the outside. If not attacked, who knows what they could have accomplished?
Don't you think the fact that Anarchy is always a power vacuum had something to do with why it never lasts?
"A government which robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend on the support of Paul."
- George Bernard Shaw
The power would lie in the hands of municipalities, workers' councils, ect... and not in the hands of large corporations, bureaucratic structures, and authoritarian systems of government. It's essentially a form of anarchism.
Such a system sounds interesting but I doubt it would be enduring. Power has a way of gravitating towards a center. It is very hard to maintain a system of decentrailized power. And just because power is highly decentralized, that does not mean it is not oppressive. Some of the most unreasonable quasi-governmental organizations I have ever dealt with are little tiny homeowners associations.
I'm not sure why such a system would be called libertarian. Libertarianism is mostly about maximum individual freedom and smallest possible government necessary to maintain order, protect private property and provide enduring freedom. Some libertarians would not even want this much government and push further towards anarchy. . I notice the individual did not even get mentioned in your description above.
And freedom that does not include economic freedom and private property is a totally illusory form of freedom. WHAT exactly are you free to do? Not much!
"Libertarian socialism is actually a system of government in which all social, political, and economic hierarchies are abolished along with all coercive authoritarian institutions and bureaucratic structures, or at least the power of those institutions are drastically reduced. The power would lie in the hands of municipalities, workers' councils, ect... and not in the hands of large corporations, bureaucratic structures, and authoritarian systems of government. It's essentially a form of anarchism."
You seem to have left out how you pay for all of the free socialist goodies...
Coercive taxation?
confiscation of private property?
Magic?
"The fool doth think he is wise, but the wise man knows himself to be a fool."
- William Shakespeare