From: brownfield!jbrow (Jim Brownfield)
Subject: Re: Libertarian Theory and Social Tolerance
Reply-To: <jbrow@glv.com>
Organization: Encompass
Date: Sat, 22 Aug 1992 23:29:37 GMT

In article <1992Aug22.182935.20446@isc-br.isc-br.com> steveh@thor.isc-br.com  
(Steve Hendricks) writes:
> I detect a basic contradiction in many of the posts to this group that
> I would like to see addressed by those with a commitment to the 
> libertarian viewpoint.
> 
> On the one hand, libertarians typically make a fetish of high-sounding
> assertions of tolerance toward those who live or think differently
> from the majority in a society.  I assume that a libertarian utopia 
> would be one in which many different views would exist and cultural 
> diversity would be celebrated.  So far, so good.  We conventional
> liberals share the same goals.
> 
> If that is so, however, I fail to see how typical libertarian 
> positions on education, housing, employment, and public accomodations
> support such goals.  Worse than that, they seem designed positively
> to undermine them.  Rather than promoting tolerance and cultural
> diversity, they appear designed to support group isolation, intolerance,
> and ultimately to promote "group think" rather than individualism.
> 
> Take education policy as one example.  I assume that the typical 
> libertarian position is that religious, cultural, ethnic, and political
> groups should be encouraged (not just allowed) through public policy 
> to form their own schools.  Does anyone seriously believe that 
> segregating children into such group-based training academies will 
> lead to more tolerance for cultural diversity and individualist
> values?  There is certainly little evidence for such a hope and plenty
> of evidence to the contrary.

I do not believe the libertarian position would "encourage" groups to form  
their own schools, but groups would be free to form schools on any basis they  
choose.  There was no public (read forced) education in this country before  
1864 (I believe the date is correct, it is very close), however the early 19th  
century was probably the most individualistic era of this countries' existence.

I have personally worked with people educated in other countries, in private  
schools (I went to a public school), catholic schools, etc., and I have rarely  
encountered people who were intolerant of others' freedom to choose.  I believe  
the benefits of mutual cooperation generally outweigh the benefits of  
isolation, and this bring people together.

As a matter of fact, forcing people to attend school (especially public school)  
has the opposite effect.  There are many schools in the greater Los Angeles  
area that are gang ridden and laden with violence.  African American, or  
Hispanic students who really want to learn would be far better off attending  
small schools away from the violence, even if this meant the schools they  
attended were not integrated.  The students would learn more and almost  
certainly have a better attitude toward society in general.

> 
> Libertarian policies in housing, employment, and public accomodations
> would seem to lead in the same direction; toward isolation
> of like-minded groups and an inevitable reduction in experience with
> diversity and therefore less commitment to individual rights.
> 
> I suppose one might argue that this is a risk that must be borne to
> promote individual choice.  But at the same time, libertarians would
> agree, I believe, that commitment to individualism and social tolerance
> are essential to a libertarian utopia.  So how do you propose that 
> that such values be promoted as libertarian policies are implemented?
> Am I missing something?

Libertarians do not believe that utopia exists.  There is no perfect system,  
but individual freedom has proven historically to be the best way to advance  
mankind.  The free market draws people together in cooperation, and they will  
respect other individuals' rights because overall, it is in their best interest  
to do so (as that will be the basis for others respecting their rights).  A  
government should exist only to the extent that it protects individuals from  
having their rights violated by other individuals (and governments).

> 
> Steve

Jim
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