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From: walker@oberon.UUCP (Mike Walker)
Newsgroups: net.politics.theory
Subject: Re: Military Preparedness
Message-ID: <126@oberon.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 26-Sep-85 22:46:21 EDT
Article-I.D.: oberon.126
Posted: Thu Sep 26 22:46:21 1985
Date-Received: Mon, 30-Sep-85 01:45:39 EDT
References: <3690@topaz.RUTGERS.EDU> <301@ihnet.UUCP>
Organization: U. of So. Calif., Los Angeles
Lines: 25

> When i first subscribed to this news group, I didn't really expect to find
> myself arguing *against* libertarians, but we must remember the axioms
> upon which Libertaria rests.  When an axiom (e.g. free information)
> *cannot* possibly apply, it is time to bring in the government.
> Effective defense cannot spring from the free market.
> -- 
> 	This .signature file intentionally left blank.
> 		Karl Dahlke    ihnp4!ihnet!eklhad

Karl,

Free information is not a libertarian axiom.  Information is a commodity
that is bought and sold.  If I don't want to talk, freely or for money,
the only way to get me to talk is to coerce me.  Coersion is antithema
to most libertatians other than in self defense.  A person or company
can, though, contractually arrange not to reveal information.  Such a
contract could then be enforced since that contract would represent a
property right to the signing parties.  Thus military contractors, like
Amalgamated Artillary or Infantry Supply Co., could be bound to secrecy.

-- 
Michael D. Walker (Mike)
Arpa: walker@oberon.ARPA
Uucp: {the (mostly unknown) world}!ihnp4!sdcrdcf!oberon!walker
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