The question of whether such measures were necessary has no bearing on the hypothetical. I am glad to see, though, that if there were a demonstrable conflict (acknowledging that you make no such admission), that you agree that government intervention can be justified.
My historical observation was that the degree of ferocity with which segregation was defended, including the denial of voting rights that were legal, in places like Mississippi, by social conspiracy and extra- legal organizations like the Klan, makes it doubtful that freedom would work in a timely fashion. Obviously, it is hard to predict "if given enough time", but how many generations were African- Americans expected to endure Jim Crow before society, through duly constituted authority, said "enough"?
My main suggestion here is that the Libertarian position is purely ideological, in the sense of amounting to an unverifiable faith that the Invisible Hand will suffice in all instances. Perhaps it is correct, but it is not obviously so, and others may legitimately differ........ |
