Sunday, March 08, 2015

ECONLIB: INTOLERANT SOCIALISM vs. TOLERANT CAPITALISM

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Intolerant Socialism | EconLog | Library of Economics an...
Like Bryan, I really enjoyed Jason Brennan's discussion of
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Like Bryan, I really enjoyed Jason Brennan's discussion of "Why Utopia is Capitalist." Bryan is correct to note that one of the main problems with G.A. Cohen's camping trip example is that it assumes (albeit implicitly, if I remember correctly) that we have all decided to go on a camping trip together. It's basically a question of constitutional choice: what kinds of contract do we wish to adopt if we are all going camping together? It reminds be of Peter Leeson's work on contract and governance among PIRATES (he explains it in a 2007 Cato Unbound symposium).

 As Brennan writes, capitalism is preferable to SOCIALISM because voluntary socialist experiments like utopian communes and socialist camping trips are possible in a world with private ownership of the means of production. 
Capitalism tolerates socialism. Socialism does not tolerate capitalism.
For the last few weeks, we've been getting together with friends from church for potluck lunches on Sunday afternoons. These are "socialist" ventures like Cohen's camping trip, and I think most of us would agree such gatherings are integral parts of a robust and thriving civil SOCIETY.
What if we went around the neighborhood and instead of inviting people to lunch we tried to jawbone people into joining us out of moral obligation? What if we started trying to conscript people into our Sunday lunch gatherings? Most people would find such BEHAVIOR boorish, intolerant, and once force is involved, evil.
Capitalism accommodates diversity in ways that socialism simply cannot. NATURALLY, one might respond that with the advent of the New Socialist Man, concerns about different preferences will be beside the point. I'm reminded, therefore, of a joke:
A revolutionary is giving a speech to a large audience, and he promises the assembled masses that once the revolution comes, the land will flow with milk and honey. He is interrupted by a gentleman a few rows back, who asks "what if I don't like milk and honey?" The revolutionary responds: "comrade, after the revolution, you will like milk and honey!"
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Giants Top Minor League Prospects

  • 1. Joey Bart 6-2, 215 C Power arm and a power bat, playing a premium defensive position. Good catch and throw skills.
  • 2. Heliot Ramos 6-2, 185 OF Potential high-ceiling player the Giants have been looking for. Great bat speed, early returns were impressive.
  • 3. Chris Shaw 6-3. 230 1B Lefty power bat, limited defensively to 1B, Matt Adams comp?
  • 4. Tyler Beede 6-4, 215 RHP from Vanderbilt projects as top of the rotation starter when he works out his command/control issues. When he misses, he misses by a bunch.
  • 5. Stephen Duggar 6-1, 170 CF Another toolsy, under-achieving OF in the Gary Brown mold, hoping for better results.
  • 6. Sandro Fabian 6-0, 180 OF Dominican signee from 2014, shows some pop in his bat. Below average arm and lack of speed should push him towards LF.
  • 7. Aramis Garcia 6-2, 220 C from Florida INTL projects as a good bat behind the dish with enough defensive skill to play there long-term
  • 8. Heath Quinn 6-2, 190 OF Strong hitter, makes contact with improving approach at the plate. Returns from hamate bone injury.
  • 9. Garrett Williams 6-1, 205 LHP Former Oklahoma standout, Giants prototype, low-ceiling, high-floor prospect.
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  • 11. Jacob Gonzalez 6-3, 190 3B Good pedigree, impressive bat for HS prospect.
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  • 1. Bobby Witt, Jr. 6-1,185 SS Colleyville Heritage HS (TX) Oklahoma commit. Outstanding defensive SS who can hit. 6.4 speed in 60 yd. Touched 97 on mound. Son of former major leaguer. Five tool potential.
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2019 MLB Draft - Top College Draft Prospects

  • 1. Adley Rutschman C Oregon State Plus defender with great arm. Excellent receiver plus a switch hitter with some pop in the bat.
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