Contrary to Coppage’s claims, services in a market economy are fundamentally dependent on the ownership of property—both physical and intellectual—not somehow untethered from it. How so? Consider some of the examples Coppage invokes: Rather than own DVDs and CDs of films and music, people now frequently stream films and music via services provided by Netflix and the like. Instead of owning cars, we can sign-up for ZipCar, or increasingly just ride in someone else’s via Uber and Lyft. And people get much of their news, entertainment, and social interaction via services provided by Internet companies. But, in order for any such values to exist, people must produce physical and intellectual goods, and they must have and retain ownership of those goods if they are to rightfully use them and prevent others (including government) from seizing them. The owners of Netflix own the company and its holdings, and they pay fees to owners of assorted movies, videos, or television shows in order to legally stream them. Netflix’s customers typically own their television sets and other electronic devices. Film producers either own such things as cameras, studios, and assorted equipment, or else lease them from other parties who own them. The owners of Uber own that company and its holdings, and they contract with drivers who own their own cars. The providers of Internet services own their companies, their cables, their maintenance equipment, and so on. Consider some examples Coppage doesn’t mention. Someone who works at an auto factory provides the service of helping to manufacture cars. He then owns the wealth that he is paid for his services, and the owners of the auto factory own the cars they pay him to help produce. My massage therapist owns her massage table and various other tools, and she pays rent to the owners of the building out of which she operates. In all cases, the provision of services in a market economy rests on ownership of property, whether physical or intellectual. —Ari Armstrong
Posted on: Sat, 20 Dec 2014 19:56:43 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015