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Free Markets and Anarchism
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Ahab Offline
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Post: #1
Free Markets and Anarchism

In anarchism, there tends to be two sides when it comes to their view on capitalism. On one hand, you have the majority, who believe that capitalism is an evil system and goes along too well with government. On the other hand, you have a minority of anarchists, often disregarded as not being anarchists, who suggest the failure of capitalism is due to government intervention and it's attempts to protect big business. Such an idea sounds absurd to most anarchists, however, I believe there is a more moderate path when it comes to determining how to use free market ideas in order to better the ideas of anarchy.

When it comes to free markets, there is much compatibility with anarchism. Anarchists tend to take a libertarian view on human nature, trusting people to be the deciders of their lives, not the government or some bureaucrat, or anyone else. They tend to have an idea that most people are good, even if they might be lost in the political game. In a proper free market, this trust in others is fairly compatible with a free market system. However, in capitalism, this tends to be lost by greed and the desire for money.

Self interest in a free market system isn't always a bad thing. Rational self interest, in fact, has probably been extremely beneficial to the technology and innovations we have today, along with the living conditions of even the poor. However, maniacal self interest is another story. When it comes to absolute greed, there needs to be some way to filter through what we see as good greed and what we see as bad greed.

My solution? I'm for a middle way path. A mutual aid system should be set up for those who simply want to live their lives, while at the same time, there should be business competition where local businesses and individuals cooperate together to serve the better of the invisible hand sector. They would not be able to monopolize or form trusts: They would have to pay local individuals a fair share, and would have to be set up by the people, much like a corporation but without a board of influence. There wouldn't be stocks in a corporation, though, at least not the the traditional sense. Anyone who chooses to invest would be equals in the desicion making process, and there would be a limit on how much share somebody could have.

The problem with this plan seems to be money. When it comes to balancing money, I'm still figuring it out. My best guess right now is using an electronic system which awards money by the number of people who are involved in the company, not just people who mindlessly buy product. Combine this with the present mutual aid system where people don't have to live off of money, and you get the point, maybe. I'm still not sure myself, so I'm working on it.

That's my opinion, however. When it comes to the use of free market ideas in anarchism, what is your opinion?
01-15-2008 03:47 PM
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SoulRiser Offline
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Post: #2
 

That all sounds great. I think one of the biggest reasons why people buy unnecessary crap is because of misleading advertising, as well as the fact that they're gullible enough to fall for it. If those 2 factors weren't there, it'd work a lot better already. People would have to actually be providing something useful before people are likely to spend money on it... which might also cut out a lot of the greed factor (if what you're doing is useful, you have a better reason to be doing it besides the fact that you're making money... probably won't work for everyone though).

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01-15-2008 10:05 PM
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I believe in the democratic control of workplaces thus the equal ownership of the means of production. Whether people trade or give is up to them.
01-16-2008 04:18 AM
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amizon Offline
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Kirby Wrote:I believe in the democratic control of workplaces thus the equal ownership of the means of production. Whether people trade or give is up to them.

I'm pretty ignorant about this type of stuff, but isn't that NOT democracy? Not in any place with a decent population anyway, it would have to be representative control of workplaces. Which I'm personally not so comfy with.

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01-16-2008 05:34 PM
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happy fool called Nigel Offline
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We have a free market in MY TOWN.

They in the sea being burnt, they in the burnt ship drowned.


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01-17-2008 04:23 AM
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amizon Wrote:I'm pretty ignorant about this type of stuff, but isn't that NOT democracy? Not in any place with a decent population anyway, it would have to be representative control of workplaces. Which I'm personally not so comfy with.
I think you misunderstand me. I don't mean everyone has control of all workplaces. Workers should control their particular workplaces.
01-17-2008 06:38 AM
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Darthmat Offline
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amizon Wrote:I'm pretty ignorant about this type of stuff, but isn't that NOT democracy? .
I'm probably misunderstand you here, but democracy isn't a from of market system. And that is what we are discussing here. Not to say whatever you want to discuss isn't worthwhile to discuss, in another thread. Smile


Quote:That all sounds great. I think one of the biggest reasons why people buy unnecessary crap is because of misleading advertising, as well as the fact that they're gullible enough to fall for it. If those 2 factors weren't there, it'd work a lot better already. People would have to actually be providing something useful before people are likely to spend money on it... which might also cut out a lot of the greed factor (if what you're doing is useful, you have a better reason to be doing it besides the fact that you're making money... probably won't work for everyone though).
Wow, that is one of the smartest things I've read in a while.

Any by useless crap, do you mean stuff like this?

But, no matter what system there is (at least those I aware of ), can't help the human greed, and human stupidity factor. And thus, no matter what, things like Prada, and obscene wealth will occur.

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01-17-2008 07:32 AM
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amizon Offline
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Darthmat

Kirby Wrote:I believe in the democratic control of workplaces thus the equal ownership of the means of production. Whether people trade or give is up to them.
So I was saying, isn't that not "democratic" to control the workplaces. I misunderstood him anyways, but I didn't bring up the "d" word at any rate. Smile

Kirby
I still don't like it lol but you cleared up what I was asking so thanks!

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01-17-2008 09:40 AM
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TheDelinquent Offline
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Re: Free Markets and Anarchism

I don't mind any flavor of anarchism - save certain strains of "anarcho-capitalism" that redefine both capitalism and government in their attempt to provide prisons and other social cesspools.
I like individual autarky best - liberty by responsibility. After that much, let people trade, screw, and think however they want.

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04-24-2008 10:06 AM
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Ahab Offline
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Re: Free Markets and Anarchism

If I were an anarchist id take a less extreme path, more moderate towards individualist thought, but its not quite this way for me.

"If you think you know what the hell is going on, you're probably full of shit." - Robert Anton Wilson
04-24-2008 03:25 PM
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Alucard483 Offline
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Re: Free Markets and Anarchism

Great more anarchy. IT CAN NOT AND NEVER WILL EVER WORK! END OF SUBJECT!

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04-25-2008 02:00 PM
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Eidolon Away
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Re: Free Markets and Anarchism

Alucard483 Wrote:Great more anarchy. IT CAN NOT AND NEVER WILL EVER WORK! END OF SUBJECT!

Why not?
04-25-2008 10:25 PM
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Alucard483 Offline
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Re: Free Markets and Anarchism

Its all in another thread. I epicly owned it. Too lazy to find it for you though

Whilst some work diligently there are those who ask why. I am one of them
(\__/) This is Bunny. Paste Bunny into your signature
(='.'=) to help him gain world domination.
(")_(")
Soul#2: I already have a grip. Doc:and a porno mag and a tube of lube I'm sure"
Lifes a bitch, then you marry one
This has been a test of the emergency pointless argument system. Had this been a real pointless argument, someone would have been called a facist.
Ceiling Cat: For that you need to wear a fursuit, though.

Inside sources say that Carla Franklin has had more dick in her than a public urinal.
04-26-2008 05:11 AM
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TheDelinquent Offline
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Post: #14
Re: Free Markets and Anarchism

Then guess what, we'll keep talking about it until you do.
Enjoy your rage.

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04-30-2008 06:10 AM
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Alucard483 Offline
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Re: Free Markets and Anarchism

it s reappering in the thread by akkodon

Whilst some work diligently there are those who ask why. I am one of them
(\__/) This is Bunny. Paste Bunny into your signature
(='.'=) to help him gain world domination.
(")_(")
Soul#2: I already have a grip. Doc:and a porno mag and a tube of lube I'm sure"
Lifes a bitch, then you marry one
This has been a test of the emergency pointless argument system. Had this been a real pointless argument, someone would have been called a facist.
Ceiling Cat: For that you need to wear a fursuit, though.

Inside sources say that Carla Franklin has had more dick in her than a public urinal.
05-02-2008 09:53 AM
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