There is also the libertarian argument that when it comes to such activities as prostitution and drugs, we are criminalizing activities that should be left to the sphere of idividual choice, and prohibition of popular activities don't work, with the prohibition of alcohol in the early twentith century often held up as an example. You cannot repress human nature entirely, even under a police state, and the more you try, the more of a black market you create.
Libertarian viewpoovannaFebruary 21 2009, 15:46:53 UTC
I have heard this argument before, and I want to agree, at least because it is optimistic :-)
Abstinence is easy. Moderation, difficult.
Folks who scream prohibition of alcohol, drugs etc., have a dim view of humanity. They think people are weak-willed and incapable of enjoying with moderation.
The libertarian argument may be cliched, and the sociological implications of what it advocates, may be much deeper than it assumes. But, it at least starts with the assumption that we are not cut-throat assholes, who would sin the first chance we get, heh.
I've seen the first half of Season 1 of The Wire - liked it a lot, but haven't had time to watch more.
As far as the War on Drugs issue goes, my "default" position is the libertarian one, but I lean more toward pragmatism than idealism in my old(ish) age, so I'm always open to arguments that try to make sense of drug prohibition. I would, however, be hard pressed to accept the notion that marijuana should be illegal. Its classification as a Schedule I drug is absurd. I can think of far more addictive (and pernicious) drugs than pot, including nicotine, the various add/adhd meds, benzos, opioid painkillers, etc.
Comments 5
Reply
Abstinence is easy. Moderation, difficult.
Folks who scream prohibition of alcohol, drugs etc., have a dim view of humanity. They think people are weak-willed and incapable of enjoying with moderation.
The libertarian argument may be cliched, and the sociological implications of what it advocates, may be much deeper than it assumes. But, it at least starts with the assumption that we are not cut-throat assholes, who would sin the first chance we get, heh.
Reply
As far as the War on Drugs issue goes, my "default" position is the libertarian one, but I lean more toward pragmatism than idealism in my old(ish) age, so I'm always open to arguments that try to make sense of drug prohibition. I would, however, be hard pressed to accept the notion that marijuana should be illegal. Its classification as a Schedule I drug is absurd. I can think of far more addictive (and pernicious) drugs than pot, including nicotine, the various add/adhd meds, benzos, opioid painkillers, etc.
Reply
Totally agree.
You know, I could not believe the hysteria over Phelps ``indescretion.'' It was almost like watching ``Reefer Madness'' all over again, heh.
Reply
Reply
Leave a comment