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Principles, Politics, and Planning, Part 2
In the last post, we saw that Austin’s attempt to rewrite it’s land-use regulations (called CodeNext) has resulted in great controversy and divisiveness. That divisiveness is not the result of the process that was used, but instead, the cause was the principle that underlies CodeNext. By their very nature, land-use regulations are an attempt to…
It’s All About Property Rights
I began this series by referring to Ayn Rand’s claim that without property rights, no other rights are possible. I was initially skeptical of that claim, and that is what led to an intense study of philosophy, history, and economics. My goal was to determine if Rand’s claim was indeed true. It is. A few…
The Coercive and the Voluntary
If your neighbor broke into your house to steal money for his transportation needs, you would recognize his action as immoral and criminal. He took your property without your consent. The principle does not change if a government agent acts as your neighbor’s proxy. If your neighbor needs assistance, he has two methods by which…
The Importance of Real Alternatives, Part 2
In Part 1, we briefly examined the prevalence of false alternatives in controversial political issues. But how do we know when false alternatives are being presented? How do we know that there are other alternatives? The clearest indication is when we actually know of real alternatives. If we are aware of an alternative that isn’t…
Imagine a World of Individual Flourishing
In “honor” of May Day, the socialist holiday celebrating the destruction of property rights, I offer Chapter 1 of Principles and Property Rights for free. Imagine no possessions, I wonder if you can, No need for greed or hunger, A brotherhood of man, Imagine all the people sharing all the world. John Lennon, “Imagine” We…
Rebel Against the Tyrants
For nearly two months, Americans have allowed government to shut down businesses, destroy jobs, and wreck the economy. For nearly two months, Americans have tolerated an unprecedented destruction of values. This isn’t a new occurrence in American history. In the 18th century Great Britain enacted a series of laws that shut down businesses, destroyed jobs…