Voluntarism & Free Association

I just wanted to finally put away the myth that Libertarian Socialist don't believe in voluntarism and free association, when in fact, we premise our entire philosophy on it. However, sometimes it's not emphasized because we don't think that these alone can bring about a free society.

I quoted heavily in the first part of this video from the (A) FAQ. It's a short article and I suggest everyone read it because this myth has gotten out of control especially on YouTube.
http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Anarchist_FAQ/What_is_Anarchism%3F/2.14

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Voluntarism
• Free Association
• Anarcho-Syndicalism
• Anarchism
• IWW
• CNT-FAI
• Bakunin
• Kropotkin

[Nawledge1]

Are you against the U.S Constitution?

[LeftLibetyAppendix]

@Nawledge1 Well, I'm certainly not against everything in it. It does have some protections that are important. But overall, any constitution that can't protect blacks, Native Americans, children, employees being beat by their bosses, women's right to vote, etc. is a pretty filthy piece of paper. (A) are also against being born into a contract that was never signed - especially when most of the writers were slave owners.

[Nawledge1]

@LeftLibetyAppendix

They do have amendments to the Constitutions to protect those things you said, but do you think it would be better that when people become of age (18-21), that they should have the opportunity to either sign an agreement with the Constitution or leave the country if they like? Or should there simply be no constitution?

[LeftLibetyAppendix]

@Nawledge1 They do have amendments but the damage has already been done. Plus crimes continue in places like Iraq and Afghanistan and I can go on and on. I don't think a constitution is needed but this creates all new problems. So (A) have always created their own constitutions/contracts that are libertarian in nature. It also depend on what type of libertarian society you are talking about. Thanks for the question. I wrote this down for a future video where I can explain this in more detail.

[AkaiShizuku]

This is a great video. I do have a couple criticisms to make, as well as general commentary, which I will convey via a video response.

[LeftLibetyAppendix]

@AkaiShizuku Great, I look forward to it. What I would like to hear is how the DoP can avoid what has happened in the past. Or perhaps explain the course that should be taken to avoid totalitarianism. As I said in my PM, I'm no expert in this subject and I'm not really familiar with the current thought. I would also like to hear why you think DoP is a better means to an end.

[MsSexySocialist]

@antinazicholos5

That's not capitalism. Capitalism as an economic system is "private ownership and control of the means of production", and what's wrong with it is it concentrates and centralizes economic power in the hands of a small elite who hold almost all decision-making authority; effectively making every capitalist economy an economic oligopoly.

And the ability to "do whatever you want with ur money" is NOT a good thing when you can use it to coerce or control others.

[fundie2008]

quote 3:21 "Freedom as the highest human objective".

Thats is the big difference between christians and anarchists. I think God, happiness, love, respect are more important than freedom.

[antinazicholos5]

@MsSexySocialist Yes it does, concentrates and centralizes economic power. Sorry but the human race can not have progress with small business. Advances in technology, health, education, etc, can not be done without money and rich people. I dont like rich people, but we need those bastards

[MsSexySocialist]

@jwalter88888888

Libertarian socialists make an important distinction between the two kinds of individually-held property.

They see personal ownership of any land or property as legitimate as long as it meets two criteria:

1. Personal use.

2. Occupancy.

This is in fact the only kind of property that can be claimed without the use of external force (a state) to maintain it.

LS however rejects private ownership of the *means of production* as unjust, coercive, and authoritarian.

[jeffsandychelsea]

@JaceJohanson Win.

[JaceJohanson]

@Nawledge1 I'm sorry, but by what authority does one group assume a monopolistic control over a geographical region?  Why is that person stuck with the cost of having to re-locate, when they're only there in the first place through an accident of geographical birth local? How about allowing people the dignity not to participate in this club if they wish, without running them from their homes? The Con. is just four pieces of paper with ink on it, not a magical talisman.

[antinazicholos5]

capitalism = private property and do whatever you want with ur money

sorry, but i dont see anything wrong with capitalism, is not good or evil, its just useful like the money. If some people are corrupt and violent in the capitalist system or some people do bad thing for money, do not blame capitalism or money

[jwalter88888888]

How do you abolish capitalism without abolishing private property rights? How can you protect individual liberty and abolish private property rights?

[etzel33]

there is no "voluntaryist" solution to land ownership, it's a raw claim by force and nothing else.

[scienceatheism]

Well the constitution is supposed to protect all people. So to put people in categories is part of the problem. I dont think the constitution says anything about white people can only have the right to vote. Even though through out our history most white people interpreted it as such. That doesnt mean the constitution gave them that right. IT SAYS ALL PEOPLE. so when something says all people I believe its meant for everyone.