Knapp Wins, with One Sword Tied Behind His Back
August 8, 2006
5:13 a.m., MT

Many of you have probably already seen this—likely the best thing Tom Knapp has written thus far—but Without a Net: Compromise Versus Calculation really does need to be spread far and wide. His close, as a tease (all italics his):

The commensurable characteristic which unifies libertarianism, however narrowly or broadly defined, is opposition to -- not redistribution of -- aggression. Assuming the burden of aggression redistribution would rip the fabric of the "libertarian umbrella." Treating aggression as a commensurable, tradeable commodity would mean that some factions would be required to accept increased aggression on issues dear to them in order to "pay for" decreased aggression in areas held dear by other factions. No libertarian coalition could hold together under such stresses -- it would fall to pieces as soon as the compromisers "traded" an increase in the top tax rate for legalization of marijuana, or vice versa, or whatever.

A single focus on institutionalized aggression, i.e. the aggression of the state, and a proposed solution of reducing -- never in any case increasing -- the ability of the state to aggress, are indispensable to the success (nay, the survival) of any broad-based libertarian political movement.

"Pragmatism" is popularly defined as an emphasis on that which "works." Compromise does not, and cannot, work in the context of a libertarian political movement.

Sunni

Comments: 1 person has added a thought or two ...

On Thursday, August 10th, at approximately 7:51 a.m. Mountain time, jomama said:

I see compromise as inevitable in any political movement. The movement starts as a fine idea then is usurped by vultures wanting a piece of that fine aggression pie.

I don't doubt that all political movement is pissing in liberty's face.

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