Myth 9: It's always wrong to take wealth from people who have it

To comment on this video, go to: http://beingism.org/community/?q=node/13

Note: This video is part of a series which debunks myths pertinent to laissez-faire capitalism. Many points not addressed in this video can be found at the above link.

http://Beingism.org

This statement assumes, wrongly, that wealth is presently distributed in a maximally fair manner and that deviating from this distribution system necessarily will be less fair. Given the radically different places from which people begin in life, this is clearly not the case. Further, it neglects to consider that although all substantial quantities of wealth are collaboratively produced, they are allocated disproportionately to certain individuals. There are two basic components of this, the first having to do with the reward producers receive for their efforts, and the second with the root causes of the ability to produce in the first place.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• conservative
• libertarian
• capitalism
• socialism
• economics
• republican
• compassion
• religion
• empathy
• charity
• happiness
• reason
• philosophy
• atheist
• atheism
• poverty

[Beingism]

@synchronium24 We know about left libertarianism and, with caveats about the improbability of its occurring anytime soon (without some kind of technological change to empower it), would identify as libertarian socialists in an idealistic sense—though we try to stay focused on what's possible now. In the meantime, we use the term "libertarian" as it is commonly used.

[Beingism]

@synchronium24 Exactly right.

[synchronium24]

@Beingism Also look up 'Left Libertarianism'

[synchronium24]

@Beingism (2) Theoretically, i guess it could work, but you have to fight groups in proportion to power. If you fight corporations only as hard as labor unions, you actually make the power balance worse, not a free market.

[synchronium24]

@Beingism "If you don't regulate big businesses, they will control government"

This is the grand flaw of economic libertarianism. Ironically, anarchism, while even more extreme and unlikely to come to fruition, actually addresses this problem. Libertarianism (specifically, minarchism) lets corruption continue AND takes away the means to combat it.

[guidedmarkets]

@canuckfanjosh Life isn't fair, but we establish law to make it more so, a fact from which both you and I have benefited immensely. Don't misunderstand: We are not proposing to eliminate incentives or get rid of increased rewards for greater risk and productivity. We are suggesting that it makes no sense to allow pay disparities that put most of society's wealth in the hands of a tiny minority and create a huge class of poor people who lack the skills and resources to contribute.

[guidedmarkets]

@raltaki One post at a time, please! :)

We are actually quite critical of government power. We're also critical of corporate power, though, and there's no real life system at present that doesn't require both. The entire premise of law is that fairness is an ideal goal; if you disagree with that, there's no justification for anti-murder laws, either. Our views may seem "strange" to you, but if you're a libertarian, you might consider that you're the one with the minority viewpoint here. ;)

[guidedmarkets]

@ImEuanAndIGotsSkeelz Private charities do have some advantages. On the other hand, they aren't really capable of the fundamental systemic change that is often required for real improvement, they either lack the same incentives that government does or (if they're for profit) they're in competition for resources with the population they aim to help, and they're dependent on the dubious altruism of strangers. They don't necessarily have more middlemen and they don't necessarily hurt the economy.

[ImEuanAndIGotsSkeelz]

@Beingism these functional programs may accomplish something but in doing so they take away from other places, like i said before, its more expensive for the government to do something because there are far more middlemen. it may not be apparent that governmental action hurt the economy because the effects are spread wide and thin if you catch my drift, its not so tangible, but that doesnt mean it isnt there.

[canuckfanjosh]

so you know that life is not fair right....we are born equal...but that does not mean we should all have equal wealth..some work harder and are more successful then others...and just working hard is not a guarantee of wealth...wealth shows that people want what is being offered. If I owned a business, it would not make sense for me to make the same as my employees...my ideas, my drive and my capital should give me incentive to be rewarded with wealth