Socialist Notes

Consider how those least alienated from their labor (contractors, entrepreneurs, owner/operators) are often the most vehemently Libertarian. (Possibly it's the other way around). Their business is an extension of their self. Doctors, Lawyers, entertainers, programmers, small business owners are often the ones making the case that taxation and redistribution (and regulation) robs them of their autonomy.

The other beneficiaries of libertarian policy, Corporations and the very rich are easy to villainize. It is clear how these policies are promulgated to keep and increase their wealth. They pretend that they are the same as the basic business units, the Sole Proprietor and the Unlimited Partnership. When they have amassed such wealth and power that they are more akin to governments than doctors.

When we think of alienated labor, socialism and corporaticracy, perhaps we need to evaluate the profit motive and who labor belongs to. If we set a base understanding that labor belongs to the laborer; the contractors, owner/operators and other "professionals" are going to have a claim to the basic ideals of libertarianism. Especially if we are trying to design a system that uses as little coercion as possible.

Perhaps we can develop a system that precludes these people from amassing outsize power, to ensure there can always be competition and that the fruits of their labor don't bear the seeds of corporate control.

Or we can attack the profit motive. Assuming we can meet the needs of the people, why should they work? To gain access to luxuries? How do we motivate people to engage in the hard work of becoming professionals (we'll still need doctors and nurses and lawyers and other specialists), when they can live comfortably without it. Will there be enough people who want to become these things who have the talent to become these things to fulfill societies needs? Note that we don't have enough nurses now. If people don't work for profit, maybe they can work for others? For the betterment of humanity? The biggest question, how do we make that transition with as little coercion as possible?

Or is coercion worth it? See my previous post positing the idea of a perfect prison. In short, imagine a place where your needs are perfectly met, but your labor (as little as possible, and taking into consideration ability) is coerced. Where you have no freedom to hurt others, and none can hurt you. Where you are not allowed to leave or to change the rules in any meaningful way. Is that an acceptable solution to the problem?