I do think there’s something to what you say. Essentially, I think it comes down to whether you believe the individual is sovereign over his property (including his body). But there may also be an issue with definition of terms here.
For many of us, “left” means “state intervention in personal and economic matters, including forced collec…
I do think there’s something to what you say. Essentially, I think it comes down to whether you believe the individual is sovereign over his property (including his body). But there may also be an issue with definition of terms here.
For many of us, “left” means “state intervention in personal and economic matters, including forced collective provision of services” and “right” means extreme minarchism, if not market anarchism.
The “capitalist” countries you describe still have massive economic interventionism, including pro-business subsidies and tax breaks that create market distortions. I would not consider these economies essentially capitalist. They are corporatist at best.
Furthermore, these countries almost all limit firearm ownership even more than the United States does. I consider this a key indicator of freedom.
Thanks for the comment. Still, we mustn't kid each other. Just like European countries, the USA is 'capitalistic' with enormous state support for 'strategic industries', all kinds of handouts to corporations, tax breaks, bank bailouts, pharma contracts, etc. All Western countries play on the same economic instruments. No choice, if they want to stay in the global game.
Re gun ownership, the laws in various European countries are quite diverse, but most prohibit army type automatic weapons. Switzerland is something of an exception. If you're a male, you have to spend time in the army when you reach adulthood. You're issued a military assault rifle and you can take it to keep at home. You can even keep it after your spell of service if you want to.
Of course across Europe there are factions and mini-political parties clamoring for more liberal gun laws, but, truth be told, there's not much public interest.
I do think there’s something to what you say. Essentially, I think it comes down to whether you believe the individual is sovereign over his property (including his body). But there may also be an issue with definition of terms here.
For many of us, “left” means “state intervention in personal and economic matters, including forced collective provision of services” and “right” means extreme minarchism, if not market anarchism.
The “capitalist” countries you describe still have massive economic interventionism, including pro-business subsidies and tax breaks that create market distortions. I would not consider these economies essentially capitalist. They are corporatist at best.
Furthermore, these countries almost all limit firearm ownership even more than the United States does. I consider this a key indicator of freedom.
Thanks for the comment. Still, we mustn't kid each other. Just like European countries, the USA is 'capitalistic' with enormous state support for 'strategic industries', all kinds of handouts to corporations, tax breaks, bank bailouts, pharma contracts, etc. All Western countries play on the same economic instruments. No choice, if they want to stay in the global game.
Re gun ownership, the laws in various European countries are quite diverse, but most prohibit army type automatic weapons. Switzerland is something of an exception. If you're a male, you have to spend time in the army when you reach adulthood. You're issued a military assault rifle and you can take it to keep at home. You can even keep it after your spell of service if you want to.
Of course across Europe there are factions and mini-political parties clamoring for more liberal gun laws, but, truth be told, there's not much public interest.