Progressive Gazette
April 18, 2014
We at UFAA are frequently drawn into debates and collaborations with libertarians – whether of the Ron Paul or Noam Chomsky persuasion.
Many positive things can be said about libertarians – they tend to have critical, open minds and an interest in seeking truth, they tend to be anti-war, and they tend to be interested in pursuing freedom and civil rights for all people. They lead righteous fights for issues like health and food freedom.
But despite these positive qualities, such individuals are prone to maddening naiveté as regards what was once called "political economy."
Despite the various philosophies of anarchism, minarchism, syndicalism, etc. there are really only 2 choices in political life – to be subjected to imperialism, or to be part of a nation-state.
The "1%" of the world don't care about your philosophy. They want your labor and your money.
The modern nation-state, reaching back to the 1648 Peace of Westphalia, is the tool people use to organize their interests into a representative body strong enough to protect them against the interests of imperialism.
Yes, there are problems and challenges inherent in self-government. Most of them have to do with financial speculators assassinating your best leaders and taking over the levers of power.
But these problems are far less severe than the challenges inherent in "small government," which has no hope of protecting manufacturers against free trade, farmers against the grain cartel, homeowners and students against banks, people against environmental pollution, etc. – How is Bitcoin going to organize a national commitment to scientific development and trillions in new infrastructure?
Admittedly, our current government is doing a lousy job. Thankfully, America still has the right shell – we just need to elect better turtles!
