Comments on: The Paradox of Libertarianism http://www.cato-unbound.org/2007/03/11/tyler-cowen/the-paradox-of-libertarianism/ Big Ideas for a Better World Sat, 22 Nov 2008 12:27:46 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: The Free Nanny State « Matt Zeitlin: Impetuous Young Whippersnapper http://www.cato-unbound.org/2007/03/11/tyler-cowen/the-paradox-of-libertarianism/#comment-116959 The Free Nanny State « Matt Zeitlin: Impetuous Young Whippersnapper Fri, 12 Oct 2007 07:57:01 +0000 http://www.cato-unbound.org/?p=429#comment-116959 [...] openness that has marked post war America, seeing them as distinctly intertwined. Tyler Cowen even lauded bigger government as the likely outcome of increases in both positive and negative liberty. Will [...] [...] openness that has marked post war America, seeing them as distinctly intertwined. Tyler Cowen even lauded bigger government as the likely outcome of increases in both positive and negative liberty. Will [...]

]]> By: Am I A Social Conservative? Are You? « Matt Zeitlin: Impetuous Young Whippersnapper http://www.cato-unbound.org/2007/03/11/tyler-cowen/the-paradox-of-libertarianism/#comment-108545 Am I A Social Conservative? Are You? « Matt Zeitlin: Impetuous Young Whippersnapper Fri, 21 Sep 2007 16:14:21 +0000 http://www.cato-unbound.org/?p=429#comment-108545 [...] self-actualization on a individual basis. Tyler Cowen, in seeming synthesis with Lindsay, has also pointed out that as countries get richer, their people are more positively free and will demand larger [...] [...] self-actualization on a individual basis. Tyler Cowen, in seeming synthesis with Lindsay, has also pointed out that as countries get richer, their people are more positively free and will demand larger [...]

]]> By: Lars Hvidbergs digitale hukommelse » Blog Archive » The Paradox of Libertarianism http://www.cato-unbound.org/2007/03/11/tyler-cowen/the-paradox-of-libertarianism/#comment-85908 Lars Hvidbergs digitale hukommelse » Blog Archive » The Paradox of Libertarianism Wed, 11 Jul 2007 14:10:30 +0000 http://www.cato-unbound.org/?p=429#comment-85908 [...] First post here is a link to an interesting essay by my favorite blogger Tyler Cowen from Marginal Revolution. Its is a month old, but still merits attention in my opinion as it very succintly describes the challenges for Libertarianism in the 21st century, where most of the old dangers of stagflation and nationalizations are no longer as prevalent, but where we’re still stuck with “big government”. Its an answer to the questions put forward by Brian Doherty in connection with his book Radicals for Capitalism: “Did Libertarianism accomplish anything?” [...] [...] First post here is a link to an interesting essay by my favorite blogger Tyler Cowen from Marginal Revolution. Its is a month old, but still merits attention in my opinion as it very succintly describes the challenges for Libertarianism in the 21st century, where most of the old dangers of stagflation and nationalizations are no longer as prevalent, but where we’re still stuck with “big government”. Its an answer to the questions put forward by Brian Doherty in connection with his book Radicals for Capitalism: “Did Libertarianism accomplish anything?” [...]

]]> By: Increased Wealth, Increased Liberalism and the Slow, Painful Death of Conservatism « Matt Zeitlin: Impetuous Young Whippersnapper http://www.cato-unbound.org/2007/03/11/tyler-cowen/the-paradox-of-libertarianism/#comment-68832 Increased Wealth, Increased Liberalism and the Slow, Painful Death of Conservatism « Matt Zeitlin: Impetuous Young Whippersnapper Wed, 30 May 2007 01:16:52 +0000 http://www.cato-unbound.org/?p=429#comment-68832 [...] It’s because, somewhat contradictorily, as people get richer, in general, government gets bigger. The expansion of government under Johnsnon in the 60s was closely connected with the liberalization and expansion of deliberative and substantive freedom for blacks, as well as the advances under civil rights law for women.  Conservatives, of course, were not all too happy about Great Society liberalism, and sought to overturn the “managerial” state, or at least hold it back, under Reagen.  Expanded government spending and power in the service of liberal social ideas is any good conservative’s worse nightmare, so it had to be attacked by any “conservative” administration.  But after Reagen, the democrats (at least for the 90s) absorbed the conservative critique of massive, managerial government but kept on keeping on with liberalizing social norms, making no efforts to stop it.  And so, we have the Bush administration, too far removed from the horrors 70s style paleoliberalism to have the same energy as the Reagenites and too enthralled with preventative war to follow up on the reformist undercurrents of his first campaign. [...] [...] It’s because, somewhat contradictorily, as people get richer, in general, government gets bigger. The expansion of government under Johnsnon in the 60s was closely connected with the liberalization and expansion of deliberative and substantive freedom for blacks, as well as the advances under civil rights law for women.  Conservatives, of course, were not all too happy about Great Society liberalism, and sought to overturn the “managerial” state, or at least hold it back, under Reagen.  Expanded government spending and power in the service of liberal social ideas is any good conservative’s worse nightmare, so it had to be attacked by any “conservative” administration.  But after Reagen, the democrats (at least for the 90s) absorbed the conservative critique of massive, managerial government but kept on keeping on with liberalizing social norms, making no efforts to stop it.  And so, we have the Bush administration, too far removed from the horrors 70s style paleoliberalism to have the same energy as the Reagenites and too enthralled with preventative war to follow up on the reformist undercurrents of his first campaign. [...]

]]> By: The Paradox of Libertarianism « Whiteberg’s Digital Memory http://www.cato-unbound.org/2007/03/11/tyler-cowen/the-paradox-of-libertarianism/#comment-48692 The Paradox of Libertarianism « Whiteberg’s Digital Memory Sat, 07 Apr 2007 20:12:37 +0000 http://www.cato-unbound.org/?p=429#comment-48692 [...] Apr 7th, 2007 by Lawrence Whiteberg First post here is a link to an interesting essay by my favorite blogger Tyler Cowen from Marginal Revolution. Its is a month old, but still merits attention in my opinion as it very succintly describes the challenges for Libertarianism in the 21st century, where most of the old dangers of stagflation and nationalizations are no longer as prevalent, but where we’re still stuck with “big government”. Its an answer to the questions put forward by Brian Doherty in connection with his book Radicals for Capitalism: “Did Libertarianism accomplish anything?” [...] [...] Apr 7th, 2007 by Lawrence Whiteberg First post here is a link to an interesting essay by my favorite blogger Tyler Cowen from Marginal Revolution. Its is a month old, but still merits attention in my opinion as it very succintly describes the challenges for Libertarianism in the 21st century, where most of the old dangers of stagflation and nationalizations are no longer as prevalent, but where we’re still stuck with “big government”. Its an answer to the questions put forward by Brian Doherty in connection with his book Radicals for Capitalism: “Did Libertarianism accomplish anything?” [...]

]]> By: Getting Over Reagan | PAWaterCooler.com http://www.cato-unbound.org/2007/03/11/tyler-cowen/the-paradox-of-libertarianism/#comment-43600 Getting Over Reagan | PAWaterCooler.com Fri, 30 Mar 2007 14:02:21 +0000 http://www.cato-unbound.org/?p=429#comment-43600 [...] David Brooks, writing in yesterday’s New York Times, riffs on a perceptive piece by Tyler Cowen in Cato Unbound [the essential blog for libertarians]. Brooks’ piece is behind a subscription firewall so I will quote it extensively. The Cowen piece is online and can be read here. [...] [...] David Brooks, writing in yesterday’s New York Times, riffs on a perceptive piece by Tyler Cowen in Cato Unbound [the essential blog for libertarians]. Brooks’ piece is behind a subscription firewall so I will quote it extensively. The Cowen piece is online and can be read here. [...]

]]> By: Daniel W. Drezner http://www.cato-unbound.org/2007/03/11/tyler-cowen/the-paradox-of-libertarianism/#comment-43001 Daniel W. Drezner Thu, 29 Mar 2007 20:39:27 +0000 http://www.cato-unbound.org/?p=429#comment-43001 <strong>Latest trade tidbits</strong> 1) Remember the hints of a trade deal that came out earlier this week? Over at US News and World Report's Capital Commerce blog, James Pethokoukis has more juicy details about the how this may or may not play out.... Latest trade tidbits

1) Remember the hints of a trade deal that came out earlier this week? Over at US News and World Report’s Capital Commerce blog, James Pethokoukis has more juicy details about the how this may or may not play out….

]]> By: Economic Investigations http://www.cato-unbound.org/2007/03/11/tyler-cowen/the-paradox-of-libertarianism/#comment-41202 Economic Investigations Tue, 27 Mar 2007 20:43:42 +0000 http://www.cato-unbound.org/?p=429#comment-41202 <strong>Fashion!</strong> No, not the mildly successful and mildly innovative ’80s David Bowie single. But rather, intellectual fads in the world of blogs. Fad and fashion… the latest craze is “the unlibertarian libertarian”, people who, for one reasons ... Fashion!

No, not the mildly successful and mildly innovative ’80s David Bowie single. But rather, intellectual fads in the world of blogs. Fad and fashion… the latest craze is “the unlibertarian libertarian”, people who, for one reasons …

]]> By: Midas Oracle .ORG » Blog Archive » Tax futures and the libertarian paradox http://www.cato-unbound.org/2007/03/11/tyler-cowen/the-paradox-of-libertarianism/#comment-38540 Midas Oracle .ORG » Blog Archive » Tax futures and the libertarian paradox Fri, 23 Mar 2007 00:33:52 +0000 http://www.cato-unbound.org/?p=429#comment-38540 [...] Tax futures and the libertarian paradox The libertarian paradox whereby free markets spur wealth creation which in turn supports the growth of the state suggests a potential issue with tax futures. Tax futures are hedging markets that predict future tax rates and could trade alongside more specific policy event derivatives. Such markets are naturally attractive to libertarians but, as with liberal institutions, we have to be wary of unintended consequences. This specific issue echoes the broader libertarian paradox and is summed up in this brief exchange with Patri Friedman last year: Me: Yes, this is one of the deepest worries with ideas like futarchy or legislation-linked markets. The latter have a libertarian slant insofar as they mitigate the state’s ability to redistribute wealth, but if they were actually widely used, these effects might be canceled-out — or worse. Maybe the state and its taxing/spending would balloon as it would be more tolerable given the recourse of hedging against it. [...] [...] Tax futures and the libertarian paradox The libertarian paradox whereby free markets spur wealth creation which in turn supports the growth of the state suggests a potential issue with tax futures. Tax futures are hedging markets that predict future tax rates and could trade alongside more specific policy event derivatives. Such markets are naturally attractive to libertarians but, as with liberal institutions, we have to be wary of unintended consequences. This specific issue echoes the broader libertarian paradox and is summed up in this brief exchange with Patri Friedman last year: Me: Yes, this is one of the deepest worries with ideas like futarchy or legislation-linked markets. The latter have a libertarian slant insofar as they mitigate the state’s ability to redistribute wealth, but if they were actually widely used, these effects might be canceled-out — or worse. Maybe the state and its taxing/spending would balloon as it would be more tolerable given the recourse of hedging against it. [...]

]]> By: On big-government libertarians « 4&20 blackbirds http://www.cato-unbound.org/2007/03/11/tyler-cowen/the-paradox-of-libertarianism/#comment-37321 On big-government libertarians « 4&20 blackbirds Wed, 21 Mar 2007 18:36:18 +0000 http://www.cato-unbound.org/?p=429#comment-37321 [...] Tyler Owen of Cato Unbound wrote an interesting article recently claiming that libertarian ideals are responsible for bigger government: Those developments [brought about by libertarian ideals] have brought us much greater wealth and much greater liberty, at least in the positive sense of greater life opportunities. They’ve also brought much bigger government. The more wealth we have, the more government we can afford. Furthermore, the better government operates, the more government people will demand. That is the fundamental paradox of libertarianism. Many initial victories bring later defeats. [...] [...] Tyler Owen of Cato Unbound wrote an interesting article recently claiming that libertarian ideals are responsible for bigger government: Those developments [brought about by libertarian ideals] have brought us much greater wealth and much greater liberty, at least in the positive sense of greater life opportunities. They’ve also brought much bigger government. The more wealth we have, the more government we can afford. Furthermore, the better government operates, the more government people will demand. That is the fundamental paradox of libertarianism. Many initial victories bring later defeats. [...]

]]> By: brettroyal.com » Blog Archive » Global Boring http://www.cato-unbound.org/2007/03/11/tyler-cowen/the-paradox-of-libertarianism/#comment-36701 brettroyal.com » Blog Archive » Global Boring Wed, 21 Mar 2007 06:23:23 +0000 http://www.cato-unbound.org/?p=429#comment-36701 [...] Tyler Cowen, who must be some sort of libertarian, wrote an article called “The Paradox of Libertarianism.” I don’t have much to say about Libertarianism, though the article is a great read. I think a lot of conservative-ish people who maybe don’t go to church a whole lot are attracted to it for a variety of reasons. It’s also fun to call yourself one, because it means you can always always always complain about the government guilt-free. “Sure I voted for him, but I voted for him in the hopes that he wouldn’t really do anything!” [...] [...] Tyler Cowen, who must be some sort of libertarian, wrote an article called “The Paradox of Libertarianism.” I don’t have much to say about Libertarianism, though the article is a great read. I think a lot of conservative-ish people who maybe don’t go to church a whole lot are attracted to it for a variety of reasons. It’s also fun to call yourself one, because it means you can always always always complain about the government guilt-free. “Sure I voted for him, but I voted for him in the hopes that he wouldn’t really do anything!” [...]

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