Noam Chomsky on Libertarianism (Feb, 1992) CHOMSKY: Well let me begin with the question about the Libertarian Party. The Libertarian Party is familiar here -- unknown elsewhere. Theres a *long* tradition of Anarchism, Libertarian thought outside the United States, which is *diametrically* opposed to the positions of the Libertarian Party -- but its unknown here. Thats the *dominant* position of whats always been considered Socialist Anarchism. Now, the Libertarian Party, is a *Capitalist* Party. Its in favor of what *I* would regard a *particular form* of authoritarian control. Namely, the kind that comes through private ownership and control, which is an *extremely* rigid system of domination -- people have to.. people can survive, by renting themselves to it, and basically in no other way. So while I share a lot of..theres a lot of shared ground with the special, U.S. right-wing anarchism, which really exists only here (and in fact have plenty of friends, and so on), I do disagree with them *very* sharply, and I think that they are not..understanding the *fundamental* doctrine, that you should be free from domination and control, including the control of the manager and the owner. (Dec, 1996) Q: Many anarcho-capitalists claim that anarchism means the freedom to do what you want with your property and engage in free contract with others. Is capitalism in any way compatible with anarchism as you see it? CHOMSKY: Anarcho-capitalism, in my opinion, is a doctrinal system which, if ever implemented, would lead to forms of tyranny and oppression that have few counterparts in human history. There isnt the slightest possibility that its (in my view, horrendous) ideas would be implemented, because they would quickly destroy any society that made this colossal error. The idea of free contract between the potentate and his starving subject is a sick joke, perhaps worth some moments in an academic seminar exploring the consequences of (in my view, absurd) ideas, but nowhere else. I should add, however, that I find myself in substantial agreement with people who consider themselves anarcho-capitalists on a whole range of issues; and for some years, was able to write only in their journals. And I also admire their commitment to rationality -- which is rare -- though I do not think they see the consequences of the doctrines they espouse, or their profound moral failings.
Posted on: Mon, 05 Jan 2015 03:42:05 +0000
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