Topic: Libertarianism
Common Objections to Liberty (II): There are too many stupid people in the world “I would agree with libertarianism if it weren’t for the fact that there are so many stupid people in the world.”by Jeremy West
(libertarian)
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
The implication here is that stupid people cannot be trusted to make their own decisions. They cannot be trusted to decide what substances to put into their own bodies or how to spend their own money. They cannot be trusted to say the right things or listen to the best media. They cannot be trusted to defend themselves or their families. They cannot be trusted to choose the right sexual partners. They cannot be trusted to provide for their own retirements. They cannot be trusted to trade with the right companies from the right countries. They cannot be trusted to keep themselves healthy.
The problem with this argument is that stupid people are allowed to vote and they are allowed to hold public office. So if you are afraid that a majority of people are stupid, then instead of running their lives for them, you'll find that democracy has them running your life for you!
If you are truly worried about those stupid people, instead of using the government to force stupid people to make the decisions you believe are smart, you ought to devote your own time and money to educating those dumber than you.
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I love this objection, carried to it's logical conclusion the people who use it are saying that they themselves are too stupid to be trusted with their own lives.
So because Bush has some simple speech problems, you assume that he is stupid? Do you say the same thing about people with other small handicaps?
Stupidity has been around for many years. People are not stupid, their decisions are. Only humans can determine what is and what is not stupid. Irrationality via religion, ignorance, and superstition can cause someone to make poor decisions.
There are also other instances of culture shock and prejudice that can cause people to make decisions that cause them to mistreat people. Ideas, decisions, and policies are stupid, but in order for them to be seen that way, the vast majority has to agree with that. This is the issue of group thinking and politics.
There are so many factors and biases, that people tend to vote so many different ways. Centrism will always be the United States dominant political theory. Unless people start agreeing on libertarian policy, we will not see libertarianism as a viable political strategy.
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