Discuss libertarianism for the Nth time

[Doktor Howl]

One of the issues here appears to be whether the corrections should be pre- or post- regulated.

It only makes sense that the "Free Market" approach is Reactive: That is, when a company does something bad, and people find out about it, they make choices.  The company then adapts, or fails.  Bad behavior is eventually punished.

A "Regulation" approach is Proactive: That is, the gvt looks at the potential for bad behavior, and prohibits it.  The company adapts, or is penalized.  A certain kind of bad behavior is restricted.

The pitfalls of both approaches are many, especially when you take into account the flawed philosophies of captitalism, economics, and politics. 

The free market only works if people are able to make informed decisions.

[LMNO]

One of the issues here appears to be whether the corrections should be pre- or post- regulated.

It only makes sense that the "Free Market" approach is Reactive: That is, when a company does something bad, and people find out about it, they make choices.  The company then adapts, or fails.  Bad behavior is eventually punished.

A "Regulation" approach is Proactive: That is, the gvt looks at the potential for bad behavior, and prohibits it.  The company adapts, or is penalized.  A certain kind of bad behavior is restricted.

The pitfalls of both approaches are many, especially when you take into account the flawed philosophies of captitalism, economics, and politics. 

The free market only works if people are willing to make informed decisions.

Amended.

[Elder Iptuous]

What Requia said....
The free market is serving the public interest as far as production and efficiency goes.
What is not serving the public interest is the govt.  Merck conducted criminal behavior, and the govt. should have penalized them proportional to the crime, but they did not.  That is not a failure on the part of the market, which is not intended to swoop in with justice.  justice is not a product of the market, because it requires a monopoly on force and should be accountable to the public at large.
When corporations are able to manipulate the govt. to avoid penalties for criminal action, that is not the free market at work.

[Cain]

http://www.principiadiscordia.com/forum/index.php?topic=21354.0

FFS.

[Doktor Howl]

What Requia said....
The free market is serving the public interest as far as production and efficiency goes.
What is not serving the public interest is the govt.  Merck conducted criminal behavior, and the govt. should have penalized them proportional to the crime, but they did not.  That is not a failure on the part of the market, which is not intended to swoop in with justice.  justice is not a product of the market, because it requires a monopoly on force and should be accountable to the public at large.
When corporations are able to manipulate the govt. to avoid penalties for criminal action, that is not the free market at work.

There has never been a free market, Iptuous.  It's a fantasy, like communism.

[Bebek Sincap Ratatosk]

There are Free Markets... they're also known as Black Markets... outside of government control and influence. Free Markets gave us Bathtub Gin. Free Markets give us MDMA cut with strychnine. Free Markets give us Child Pornography.

Of course, those same Free Markets saved the collective asses of many poor Appalachians who turned to stills and stock cars for survival.

[Doktor Howl]

There are Free Markets... they're also known as Black Markets...

Until someone murders you for your market share.  Or simply forces you to cough up a chunk of your profits.

[LMNO]

Gimme yr sammich.

[Doktor Howl]

Gimme yr sammich.

Yep.

Anarchy isn't freedom.

And anyone who thinks that the black market is a free market needs to google "John Torrio", and follow the links to the present day.

[Cramulus]

iptuous, can you clarify for me---? It sounds like you're in favor of more gov't regulation and control of the free market. Which doesn't sound like something most libertarians would endorse, no?

[Jenne]

http://www.principiadiscordia.com/forum/index.php?topic=21354.0

FFS.

Oh, I REMEMBER that fread.  Maybe merge w/this one?  Too late, I suppose.  It IS a total rehash, however.

[LMNO]

Merging the two would be not only amusing, but useful.

[Jenne]

Same arguments from same interlocutors, I think. 

[Cramulus]

I apologize for enjoying what must be a boring discussion to some of you.

[Doktor Howl]

I apologize for enjoying what must be a boring discussion to some of you.

I never get sick of this topic.  It flexes my rage gland.