I apologize for taking so long to reply. Petitioning is wrapping up in NY and we're all busy. Because I am in a hurry, I intend to commit the cardinal sin of not reading the whole thread before replying.
>> The kind >> of total knowledge you are proposing is difficult to obtain. >> > > In your previous posts you have repeatedly stated (without evidence) > that "total knowledge" of all market participants is necessary when no > Government is present. Now you are implying (falsely) that I am > "proposing" the same. > That's a fair criticism. I have assumed that because, in a global economy, businesses could be committing aggressive acts all over the globe. How can I, as a consumer, know what every multinational corporation is doing everywhere it does business? If I don't know, how can I intelligently boycott the bad ones? I don't see how what you're saying, that no one will do business with the bad guys, is workable without that kind of global information reach. >> I'd >> much rather have distributed, municipal courts handle such matters >> case by case, being constrained by law against allowing hearsay and >> other improprieties. >> > > Easily-corruptible artificial authorities CAUSE the negative effects > on the market that you fear the most. > I'm talking about punishing people for violating the natural rights of others. Government policies which attempt to control the economy are another matter. You're right, such policies do make things worse and not better. However, I don't include protection against theft, murder, arson, etc. under "market regulation". They are moral crimes whether commerce is involved or not. > We have already discussed how market forces keep business owners in > check, but we have not yet talked about what would MOTIVATE a business > owner to WANT to initiate violence in the first place. > > Will businesses violate Individual Liberty simply because there is no > threat of State violence? > > ---Sasan If a company destroys its competitor(s), they get all the business, and make more money. The desire for wealth is all the motivation human beings require. In fact, money and property probably provide the most causes for dispute. Chris [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
