X-Message-Number: 21880
Date: Thu, 5 Jun 2003 12:18:21 +0900 (JST)
From: "Matthew S. Malek" <>
Subject: Re: CryoNet #21863 - #21871

> Libertarian Socialist is an oxymoron!

Hardly so.  Libertarian Socialism has existed for well over a century now.
Perhaps you simply need to broaden your definitions somewhat (see below):

> Libertarian philosophy seeks minimal government, maximum self
> responsibility and individual liberty.

Once again, I would remind you to be careful of what you refer to when you
use the term "Libertarian" loosely (see yesterday's post on this).

> Socialist philosophy seeks maximum government control over people and
> their decisions.

Now here you are just plain wrong.  You are looking specifically at one
brand of Socialism, namely the Authoritarian Socialism practiced by
Stalin, Mao, and others.

In doing so, you have completely failed to grasp the core idea behind
Socialism.  Socialism's core tenet is NOT, as you put it, "seeking maximum
control."  It is more about making common decisions on how to provide for
the common economic good.

Common decisions can, of course, be made in a centralized authoritarian
manner.  But they can also be made in a decentralized forum, too.

> You can't have it both ways!!

Again, this is just plain wrong and seems to clearly stem from your
misunderstanding of Libertarianism (beyond the American right's recent
incarnation of it) and of Socialism.

If you really believe your above statement, I would recommend that you do
some reading to educate yourself further on Libertarian Socialism.  If you
would like, I can recommend several good books to begin with.

=>Cheers,
=>Matthew

---------------------------+-------------------------------------------------
   Matthew S. Malek        |    "Judging by his outlandish attire, he's
       |     some sort of free-thinking anarchist!"
---------------------------+-------------------------------------------------
QUOTE OF THE WEEK:

         "The nationalist not only does not disapprove of
          atrocities committed by his own side, but he has a
          remarkable capacity for not even hearing about them."

                                              --George Orwell
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