I am posting this one to Charles, as he might be interested in carrying the ball.
The idea behind libertarianism is that coercion is bad, and although some minimum might be a necessary evil, respect for the dignity of the individual means leaving most social transaction in the realm of voluntary behavior. Conservatives and liberals both agree, against libertarians, that society has a broad claim to ensure civility and a humane environment. Conservatives, however, are more prone to rely on voluntary transactions, and to consider governmental action ancillary to the spontaneous ordering of society, through mediating institutions like churches, clubs, corporations, and charitable foundations, and therefore are able to cooperate with all but the most fanatic libertarians......... |
