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aerlenbach's review against another edition
3.0
I like reading books about anarchism & left-libertarian ideology. I don’t necessarily agree with everything they strive to achieve, but the philosophy is really interesting and they help me see things from a new perspective.
This book really helped me better ground my understanding of how the state is necessary for all forms of corporate systems. Even the corporate structure leftists oppose can only exist with the express approval of the state. (This was covered in Joel Bakan’s two books: "The Corporation: The Pathological Pursuit of Profit and Power" (2003) and "The New Corporation: How ‘Good’ Corporations Are Bad for Democracy" (2020). Both of which I highly recommend.)
It’s also got a great section on why US libertarians (right-libertarians) and “Anarcho”-Capitalists (Neo-Feudalists) are so often seen as corporate shills. Which was fun.
Do I want all aspects of our world dictated by “market forces?” No.
Do I want all aspects of our world dictated by centralized state powers? No.
This book did make me roll my eyes from time to time that since no state coercion is acceptable, supposedly all the world’s woes (corporations dumping poison, systematic racism, etc) can be solved with market forces and contracts just comes across as far fetched.
If you think you’re a libertarian, read this book so you can either learn about the ideology you claim to support, or learn that you’re really just a conservative who’s obsessed with guns and/or weed.
If you’re a liberal who thinks anarchism means chaos, or think capitalism and markets are synonymous (Warrenites where you at?), read this book to correct your misunderstandings.
If you’re a leftist, check it out if it interests you.
This book really helped me better ground my understanding of how the state is necessary for all forms of corporate systems. Even the corporate structure leftists oppose can only exist with the express approval of the state. (This was covered in Joel Bakan’s two books: "The Corporation: The Pathological Pursuit of Profit and Power" (2003) and "The New Corporation: How ‘Good’ Corporations Are Bad for Democracy" (2020). Both of which I highly recommend.)
It’s also got a great section on why US libertarians (right-libertarians) and “Anarcho”-Capitalists (Neo-Feudalists) are so often seen as corporate shills. Which was fun.
Do I want all aspects of our world dictated by “market forces?” No.
Do I want all aspects of our world dictated by centralized state powers? No.
This book did make me roll my eyes from time to time that since no state coercion is acceptable, supposedly all the world’s woes (corporations dumping poison, systematic racism, etc) can be solved with market forces and contracts just comes across as far fetched.
If you think you’re a libertarian, read this book so you can either learn about the ideology you claim to support, or learn that you’re really just a conservative who’s obsessed with guns and/or weed.
If you’re a liberal who thinks anarchism means chaos, or think capitalism and markets are synonymous (Warrenites where you at?), read this book to correct your misunderstandings.
If you’re a leftist, check it out if it interests you.
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