tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-409227712629702891.post1951385486378293508..comments2023-10-10T12:10:01.027-04:00Comments on Freedom's Philosopher: The Road to Serfdom: Part 2Freedom's Philosopherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15412573018531100508noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-409227712629702891.post-89743303803305375292011-01-15T11:27:41.147-05:002011-01-15T11:27:41.147-05:00Though I am not an Austrian Economist, I present t...Though I am not an Austrian Economist, I present three of Friedrich August Hayek’s statements, from his book The Road To Serfdom (1944)<br /><br />He stated: “the very men most anxious to plan society (are) the most dangerous if allowed to do so — and (they are) the most intolerant of the planning of others” page 93.<br /><br />And: “It is, as it were, the lowest common denominator which unites the largest number of people. If a numerous group is needed, strong enough to impose their views on the values of life on all the rest, it will never be those with highly differentiated and developed tastes — it will be those who form the ‘mass’ in the derogatory sense of the term, the least original and independent, who will be able to put the weight of their numbers behind their particular ideals.Moreover, tyrants will often “be able to obtain the support of all the docile and gullible, who have no strong convictions of their own but are prepared to accept a ready-made system of values if it is only drummed into their ears sufficiently loudly and frequently” page 138.<br /><br />And: “Independence and self-reliance, individual initiative and local responsibility, the successful reliance on voluntary activity, noninterference with one’s neighbor and tolerance of the different, respect for custom and tradition, and a healthy suspicion of power and authority: Almost all the traditions and institutions in which democratic moral genius has found its most characteristic expression, and which in turn have molded the national character and the whole moral climate of England and America, are those which the progress of collectivism and its inherently centralistic tendencies are progressively destroying” page 219.<br /><br />My response to Mr Hayek is that bible prophecy of Revelation 13:1-18 reveals that God has ordained a collective, that is a collectivist future, for mankind, and I provide the details in article A Sovereign System, A Sovereign King And A Sovereign Banker To Rule Planet Earth, Bible Foretellstheyenguyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08515095308836729043noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-409227712629702891.post-78177914962999279002010-05-15T08:04:24.906-04:002010-05-15T08:04:24.906-04:00I certainly agree with the usefulness of distingui...I certainly agree with the usefulness of distinguishing between the social and economic spheres. However, Hayek and others have argued that they are really inseparable: the ideal is social liberalism and economic conservatism. Both parties have strayed from the ideal. In recent years, republicans have drifted more toward social conservatism, and democrats toward economic liberalism. The "wild card" is now foreign policy. Unfortunately, both parties seem more-or-less enamoured with global imperialism. I always vote democrat as the lesser of two evils. However, most libertarians don't vote. That might be the only logically consistent position. Thanks for the interesting link!Freedom's Philosopherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15412573018531100508noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-409227712629702891.post-19729342602777830732010-05-11T09:10:19.549-04:002010-05-11T09:10:19.549-04:00I believe that your identification of individualis...I believe that your identification of individualism with the Republican Party is wrong. Evidence suggests that both parties are statist and support the growth of government over individual liberty. <br /><br />A more accurate description would have the Democrats limit liberty in the economic sphere while Republicans would limit liberty in the social sphere. If we look at the spectrum we do not see a distribution along a line where one end is labeled 'collectivist' and the other 'individualist'. A more accurate description would have the political map as a two dimensional construct where individuals and party are scored on their views regarding liberty in the economic and social spheres. A good explanation can be found at the Advocates site where participants can take a very simple ten question quiz that will show where they stand.<br /><br />http://www.theadvocates.org/quizp/index.htmlVangelVhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18253765145016548748noreply@blogger.com