are African countries libertarian?

[Torie]

According to libertarian-bashers, Somalia is a libertarian paradise.  Despite the fact that half the country is ruled by Islamists.  They think that since the internationally-recognized government has no control, there is no government.  In the case of Africa, national governments exhibit very little control, yet power lies in the hands of other groups.  Africa is far from being a libertarian paradise.

Actually, the one redeeming quality about Libertarianism...that it courageously resists religious extremists...is clearly what would make a true Libertarian hate Somalia, my sig notwithstanding.
  Of course, there are the Ron Pauls of the world who seem pretty cozy with religious extremists on the abortion rights issue, but hey -- just as I don't expect every Democrat to be in lock step with their party on every single issue, so I can't expect Dr. Paul to get it right every time when it comes to Libertarianism.

That said, I think the overarching truth is still applicable.  The folks who believe in the road and bridge fairies...and that taxation is theft...and that government services are evil and should be done away with...really ought to find Somalia more appealing that the Socialist Collective Farm that the United States has become.

No one's going to tax you in Somalia...no one is going to tell you how fast to drive or whether or not to wear a seat belt...and if you own a business, no one is going to tell you where to dump your poisonous runoff.  You'll be able to own whatever gun you want and shoot it when and where you please. I would suggest that the Libertarians move there, enjoy the many benefits, and then get to work on removing the religious crazies from the country.  You'd be bloody closer to making it a Libertarian Utopia than a place like this with all our nanny statism and our "Socialist" President and "Corporatist" opposition.

That is a really well done and entertaining polemic JS. Kudos! 

[k-onmmunist]

Taxation IS theft. If you take money from someone at threat of punishment, it is theft. It doesn't matter what it is spent on.

[Torie]

Taxation IS theft. If you take money from someone at threat of punishment, it is theft. It doesn't matter what it is spent on.

You favor private armies too?  Oh dear.

[Lief 🗽]

Taxation IS theft. If you take money from someone at threat of punishment, it is theft. It doesn't matter what it is spent on.

By living in a society, you agree to pay taxes to support the government that protects the society. It's the social contract. The analogy you're looking for is breaking a contract that stipulated you had to pay money, not being stolen from.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

Taxation IS theft. If you take money from someone at threat of punishment, it is theft. It doesn't matter what it is spent on.

By living in a society, you agree to pay taxes to support the government that protects the society. It's the social contract. The analogy you're looking for is breaking a contract that stipulated you had to pay money, not being stolen from.

Thank you, Lief.

[k-onmmunist]

Taxation IS theft. If you take money from someone at threat of punishment, it is theft. It doesn't matter what it is spent on.

By living in a society, you agree to pay taxes to support the government that protects the society. It's the social contract. The analogy you're looking for is breaking a contract that stipulated you had to pay money, not being stolen from.

We were never given the chance to provide for our own protection, and we were never allowed to sign said contract. A contract is only valid if signed by all parties involved, and therefore government is illegitimate and taxation is theft.

[bgwah]

Taxation IS theft. If you take money from someone at threat of punishment, it is theft. It doesn't matter what it is spent on.

By living in a society, you agree to pay taxes to support the government that protects the society. It's the social contract. The analogy you're looking for is breaking a contract that stipulated you had to pay money, not being stolen from.

We were never given the chance to provide for our own protection, and we were never allowed to sign said contract. A contract is only valid if signed by all parties involved, and therefore government is illegitimate and taxation is theft.

Maybe you can swim over to Sealand.

[Lief 🗽]

Taxation IS theft. If you take money from someone at threat of punishment, it is theft. It doesn't matter what it is spent on.

By living in a society, you agree to pay taxes to support the government that protects the society. It's the social contract. The analogy you're looking for is breaking a contract that stipulated you had to pay money, not being stolen from.

We were never given the chance to provide for our own protection, and we were never allowed to sign said contract. A contract is only valid if signed by all parties involved, and therefore government is illegitimate and taxation is theft.

You "sign" the contract by continuing to live in society. If you no longer want to be a "signatory" to the contract, you are free to move to the forest and live in a hut.

[Middle-aged Europe]

In theory, the African continent is home to some of the most authoritarian governments in the world, but on account of their limited resources and lack of organization, very few of their laws are actually consistently enforced.  Discuss.

By that logic, the stone age was libertarian. And of course, Haiti has now become more libertarian than before the Earthquake.

[SPC]

Taxation IS theft. If you take money from someone at threat of punishment, it is theft. It doesn't matter what it is spent on.

By living in a society, you agree to pay taxes to support the government that protects the society. It's the social contract. The analogy you're looking for is breaking a contract that stipulated you had to pay money, not being stolen from.

We were never given the chance to provide for our own protection, and we were never allowed to sign said contract. A contract is only valid if signed by all parties involved, and therefore government is illegitimate and taxation is theft.

You "sign" the contract by continuing to live in society. If you no longer want to be a "signatory" to the contract, you are free to move to the forest and live in a hut.

Can you give an instance of any other contract whose participation rests on living in a certain area? Doesn't the fact that I own my property override any territorial monopolies? Ultimately what you are saying is that I am not allowed to do what I choose on my own property, which violates my natural rights. Please read this.

[true liberty]

it seems people here dont know what libertarianism is, they just like to bash it.