Libertarians
Recycling, Unions, and Affirmative Action
What do recycling, unions, and affirmative action have in common?
One might think the answer is, “Libertarians oppose them all.” But that answer is not correct.
Libertarians have no objection to recycling per se. If private markets recycle voluntarily because it is profitable to do so, that is desirable because it represents an efficient use of society’s resources. What libertarians oppose is government policies that mandate recycling.
Libertarians have no objection to unions per se. If employees wish to form voluntary organizations and attempt to bargain collectively with employers, that is their privilege. Indeed, this approach might benefit everyone by reducing the “transactions costs” of negotiating employment contracts. What libertarians oppose is government policies that force employers to bargain collectively with unions.
Libertarians have no objection to affirmative action per se. If companies believe a diverse work force is good for the bottom line, or if companies wish to promote minorities and women because they believe it is right, that is their business. Indeed, many libertarians believe diversity is valuable and therefore support certain kinds of private affirmative action. What libertarians oppose is government policies that mandate affirmative action in hiring and related activities.
Whether the libertarian positions on recycling, unions, and affirmative action are persuasive is a question for future blogs. The point here is that libertarianism distinguishes between whether something is good or bad and whether government policy should encourage or discourage that something.
One might think the answer is, “Libertarians oppose them all.” But that answer is not correct.
Libertarians have no objection to recycling per se. If private markets recycle voluntarily because it is profitable to do so, that is desirable because it represents an efficient use of society’s resources. What libertarians oppose is government policies that mandate recycling.
Libertarians have no objection to unions per se. If employees wish to form voluntary organizations and attempt to bargain collectively with employers, that is their privilege. Indeed, this approach might benefit everyone by reducing the “transactions costs” of negotiating employment contracts. What libertarians oppose is government policies that force employers to bargain collectively with unions.
Libertarians have no objection to affirmative action per se. If companies believe a diverse work force is good for the bottom line, or if companies wish to promote minorities and women because they believe it is right, that is their business. Indeed, many libertarians believe diversity is valuable and therefore support certain kinds of private affirmative action. What libertarians oppose is government policies that mandate affirmative action in hiring and related activities.
Whether the libertarian positions on recycling, unions, and affirmative action are persuasive is a question for future blogs. The point here is that libertarianism distinguishes between whether something is good or bad and whether government policy should encourage or discourage that something.
posted by Mike at 6:01 AM
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