Overview
- 3L is not against socialism or capitalism, or any other ‘ism’ that doesn’t harm others. Both Capitalism and Socialism can be compatible with the Legal Principle so long as they are entirely voluntary.
- People who engage in either of these voluntary versions should always be left alone.
- The coercive versions of both should be phased out as quickly, intelligently and fairly as possible.
- Communities that adopt Voluntary-Socialism can peacefully coexist as neighbours to communities that adopt Voluntary-Capitalism.
- Forcing any financial system on any person always amounts to violating the Legal Principle.
Voluntary versions
Voluntary-Socialism
- In absence of other incentives, humans observably tend to help their loved-ones-in-need over strangers. We can only give what we have, so it is not surprising that we give to the people we know and love.
- As such, most families adopt ‘voluntarily socialism’, where those with the ability redistribute their resources according to needs of their loved-ones.
- ‘Putt your own oxygen mask on before helping others’ is sound wisdom, not selfishness. The overflowing cup from having our needs met spills out to our family, to our community, to our country, and eventually to the whole world.
- As human flourishing and abundance expands, it is theoretically possible, and not incompatible with the 3L Philosophy, for the whole world to one day be entirely voluntarily ‘socialist’. Such abundance is made possible only by the respect of property rights, that allows people to invest in creative endeavours and share the fruits of their harvest.
- In such ‘voluntary socialism’, there is alignment with both the Legal Principle (no-one is being coerced) and the Aspirational Values (voluntary kindness).
- Extrapolating further, it’s possible, albeit humorous, to characterise the 3L Movement’s goal of peace on earth is compatible with a socialist one-world government, where the socialism is voluntary and the government never deviates from the Legal Principle!
- There is nothing stopping those who seek voluntarily socialized healthcare, retirement benefits, charity for the poor, or virtually any other economically based purpose, from pursuing these laudable goals.
- An example of Voluntary-Socialism is the Israeli Kibbutz, where people can freely decide for themselves whether to join the Kibbutz, and opt-out any time, so there is no Legal Principle violation.
Voluntary Capitalism
- At the same time, nothing in either of the 3L Philosophy is breached by professionals helping strangers in exchange for money; voluntary capitalism. In fact, such voluntary transactions would not occur unless they were win-win, which is a stated aspirational value of the Aspirational Values.
“The most important single central fact about a free market is that no exchange takes place unless both parties benefit”. Milton Friedman
Coercive versions
Involuntary-Socialism
- Involuntary-Socialism occurs when people are forced or coerced, often by the state, to contribute economically to programs such as socialized healthcare, retirement benefits, or charity for the poor.
- While these may be worthy goals, attempting to achieve them by forcing others to contribute violates the Legal Principle. Forced morality is an oxymoron.
Crony-capitalism
- Crony-Capitalism, occurs when the mechanisms of government are employed to impose laws or rules that coercively advantage one person or company over another.
- In such a system, people can donate substantial amounts of money to influence politicians to change laws, rules, or regulations or to spend the stolen taxpayer’s money in such a way as to coercively further the interests of that individual or business.
- Unfortunately, it is common for governments to create a coercive monopoly by legally permitting only one favored company to do business in a particular geographic area.
Today’s reality
- Every country today adopts a blend of socialism & capitalism that involves some degree of coercion.
- The 3L Movement’s mission is clear that every country should adopt entirely voluntary interactions, but disentangling the coercive practices requires careful planning, so as to avoid unnecessary suffering to those who have adapted to the old ways.
- In particular, welfare systems that depend on coercion need to be gradually and carefully replaced with voluntary support systems.
- Going too slow is also not a good option, given that welfare systems are vulnerable to deteriorating national finances, with inflation and recession being the symptoms of such financial stress.
- Like an alcoholic going sober, the transition isn’t easy, but the rewards justify the effort.
