Politics – Page 3 – Gus diZerega

Libertarian Critique I: The ‘nonaggression principle’

Posted on July 27, 2014July 27, 2014 by Gus

This is the first of what will be a series of posts criticizing libertarian ideology as not up to the claims its advocates claim for it. Perhaps some will even seek to enter into dialogue on this or other issues … Read more

Antibiotics and the Market: One more example of the bankruptcy of libertarian ideology

Posted on June 2, 2014 by Gus

Libertarians and ‘free market’ advocates in general claim that markets reflect people’s decisions and values better than any other social institution, and so ‘freedom’ is maximized when markets are ‘unfettered.’ The New Scientist for May 24 has an important example … Read more

Taking the Initiative towards electoral reform: a vital role for Maine?

Posted on April 21, 2014July 20, 2014 by Gus

The American political system has become dysfunctional with no hope at the moment for an end to the crisis. Further, those benefiting from the dysfunction have a vested interest in continuing the crisis, and can best do so by continuing … Read more

Private prisons as an example of the bankruptcy of libertarian ideology

Posted on April 17, 2014April 19, 2014 by Gus

As a young man I was a libertarian. In time the accumulated problems with the ideology led me to abandon it. But I remain a believer in its most fundamental moral insights (and argue libertarians haven’t any real understanding of … Read more

Considering ‘Privilege’ White, Wiccan, and otherwise.

Posted on April 2, 2014April 2, 2014 by Gus

This is a long post on the mostly bad effects of using the term ‘privilege’ in social and political analysis. I broke it up into three parts at Patheos. Part I dealt with Wiccan privilege. Part II with the concept … Read more

Two articles on my new book (written by me).

Posted on December 10, 2013 by Gus

The first is for Witches and Pagans, a name which explains the site, and so its focus is on a Pagan audience.

The second is for Patheos, an interfaith site, and again, the paper is focused … Read more

Pantheism, Paganism, and Tocqueville on the Soul of Democracy

Posted on October 26, 2013 by Gus

I have a new post up on Witches and Pagans that explores how the themes of modern Pagan spirituality appear inherent in a democratic culture… or at least so Alexis Tocqueville believed. Though as a good Catholic he was not … Read more

Confusions about contract and freedom in libertarian and free market thinking

Posted on October 21, 2013October 21, 2013 by Gus

Libertarians argue a free society is a contractual society, one based on agreement between equals rather than force by the strong against the weak. In my view they are correct. But I have long since ceased to call myself a … Read more

The Kochs’ role in the conspiracy against American democracy

Posted on October 8, 2013December 22, 2016 by Gus

Some months ago I posted an account of the evidence for a Koch funded conspiracy against American democracy, rooted in my having grown up in Wichita, their home, having known Charles Koch personally, and my youthful involvement with the radical … Read more

A response to Nathan Goodman on democracy

Posted on October 3, 2013 by Gus

Nathan Goodman provided an interesting criticism of my post on democracies not being states. His argument requires a lengthy discussion to address properly. Further, the discussion format on this site seems to hate paragraphs, so such a response would … Read more