From: cl836@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Geoff Stark)
Newsgroups: alt.philosophy.objectivism
Subject: Objectivism vs Libertarianism vs Anarchism
Date: 31 Dec 1992 20:50:11 GMT
Organization: Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH (USA)
Reply-To: cl836@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Geoff Stark)
NNTP-Posting-Host: hela.ins.cwru.edu




I feel it is necessary to set the record straight concerning
Objectivism, Libertarianism and Anarchism.

I can't give an accurate description of Libertarianism, but I can
comment on what it isn't.  Libertarianism is _not_ Objectivism,
it did not arise from Objectivism, and the two are not linked in
any realistic way.  Libertarianism is not a philosophy, it is a
political movement.  Objectivism is _not_ a political movement,
but it does include a theory of politics.

Anarchy is an abstract political concept that denies authority of
any kind.  Ayn Rand's views on such political groups are clear,
so I'll quote her here:

"For the record, I shall repeat what I have said many times
before:  I do not join or endorse any political group or
movement.  More specifically, I disapprove of, disagree with, and
have no connection with the latest abberation of some
conservatives, the so called 'hippies of the right,' who attempt
to snare the younger or more careless ones of my readers by
claiming simultaneously to be followers of my philosophy and
advocates of anarchism.  Anyone offering such a combination
confesses his inability to understand either.  Anarchism is the
most irrational, anti-intellectual notion ever spun by the
concrete-bound, context-dropping, whim-worshipping fringe of the
collectivist movement, where it properly belongs."
                 "Brief Summary", The Objectivist, 1971, pg 1.

Objectivism is a philosophical concept that states reasoning is
man's only way of perceiving reality and reality is independent
of man's feelings, fancies, wishes or whims.  Rand states
plainly, nature is nature and facts are facts.  Every man exists
for himself and is not at the mercy of other men's needs.  He has
no obligations to anybody but himself and his own happiness is
the highest moral purpose of his life.  His morality is self-
determined, a code of values accepted by his own choice.  He is
free to make choices affecting his life within his own moral
code, knowing his choices always have consequences and results.

The ideal political/economic system of objectivism is _full_
capitalism.  Individuals should be allowed to trade freely with
one another for mutual benefit.  No-one has the right to force
his desires on anyone else, physical or ideological.  A
government, absolutely necessary under objectivism, cannot
interfere with anyone's goals (as long as those goals do not
collide with anyone else's individual rights).  The government
acts only as a law enforcement agency that protects individual
rights and has no influence on the economy or trade.  The
government should exist by the will of individuals, as the
servant of individuals, and _not_ as an elected social conscious. 

It necessarily follows that the rights of the individual be
inalienable. "Individual rights are not subject to a public vote;
a majority has no right to vote away the rights of a minority;
the political function of rights is to protect minorities from
oppression by majorities (and the smallest minority on earth is
the individual)." - Ayn Rand

------------------------------
Geoff Stark
cl836@cleveland.freenet.edu    or    gstark@mona.muug.mb.ca
Newsgroups: alt.philosophy.objectivism