Is Classic Liberalism Realistic in Today's Society?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the realism of classical liberalism in contemporary society, particularly in relation to empathy, rationality, and the implications of an uncontrolled market versus welfare states. Participants explore theoretical and practical aspects of classical liberalism, its assumptions about human behavior, and its potential outcomes in modern contexts.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question whether classical liberalism assumes a level of empathy and rationality in humans that may not exist, suggesting that this could hinder its effectiveness in practice.
  • Concerns are raised about the potential for an uncontrolled market to lead to uneven welfare distribution, resulting in increased poverty and crime, with historical examples cited to support this view.
  • One participant expresses a shift towards classical liberalism, citing perceived deficiencies in the Scandinavian welfare model.
  • Another participant argues that classical liberalism does not impose a specific system and claims that historical evidence suggests socialist policies lead to more poverty and crime, countering the concerns raised about classical liberalism.
  • There is a contention regarding the origins of the welfare state, with differing views on whether it was created out of necessity for freedom or as a result of promises made to the populace.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express multiple competing views regarding the assumptions of classical liberalism, the effectiveness of welfare states, and the historical implications of different economic systems. The discussion remains unresolved with no consensus reached.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference historical outcomes and societal conditions without providing specific data or definitions, leaving some assumptions and interpretations open to debate.

kasse
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I have some questions for Ron Paul-followers.

Doesn't classic liberalism assume that humans have a lot more empathy and rationality than we really do? To me it seems unlikely that this system will create anything like what we're witnessing in countries like Sweden.

Isn't it inevitable that an uncontrolled market without a minimum welfare will create an uneven distribution of welfare in society, that will lead to lots of poor people, and thereby more crime? That's what history has shown!

Without a welfare state, what will happen to the poor? Remember that the people themselves created the welfare state because they didn't have freedom.
 
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kasse said:
I have some questions for Ron Paul-followers.

Doesn't classic liberalism assume that humans have a lot more empathy and rationality than we really do? To me it seems unlikely that this system will create anything like what we're witnessing in countries like Sweden.

Isn't it inevitable that an uncontrolled market without a minimum welfare will create an uneven distribution of welfare in society, that will lead to lots of poor people, and thereby more crime? That's what history has shown!

Without a welfare state, what will happen to the poor? Remember that the people themselves created the welfare state because they didn't have freedom.

Well, I am a Norwegian who the last couple of years have been sliding down (or rushing up?) the slippery slope towards classical liberalism.

Not the least based on the deficiencies I see in the Scandinavian welfare state model..
 
kasse said:
I have some questions for Ron Paul-followers.

Doesn't classic liberalism assume that humans have a lot more empathy and rationality than we really do?
No, it makes no such assumptions.
To me it seems unlikely that this system will create anything like what we're witnessing in countries like Sweden.
What system? Classical liberalism imposes no system. That's its defining quality.
Isn't it inevitable that an uncontrolled market without a minimum welfare will create an uneven distribution of welfare in society,
Yes.
that will lead to lots of poor people,
No.
and thereby more crime?
No.
That's what history has shown!
History has shown the opposite, that socialist policies lead to more poor people (constituents) and much more crime.
Without a welfare state, what will happen to the poor?
There will be a lot fewer of them.
Remember that the people themselves created the welfare state because they didn't have freedom.
No, it was because they were promised a share of the loot from the legalized pillage. And they're lied to and misled about classical liberalism.
 
OP answered. Closed.
 

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