View Single Post
  #31 (permalink)  
Old 29-September-2007, 04:16 AM
The Supreme Canuck's Avatar
The Supreme Canuck The Supreme Canuck is offline
Order of Kilopi
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Ottawa, Canada
Posts: 6,877
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Delvo View Post
But it didn't lead to anything; no political historical movements or events came from it.
It is a good overview of Libertarian or Anarcho-Capitalist views. It's hard to find scholarly works about that, so Atlas Shrugged is the next best thing.

Quote:
Originally Posted by IsaacKuo
Not being a Constitutional scholar, I have to ask...What does the US Constitution have to say (or not say) about Capitalism?
Well, right off the top, the "pursuit of happiness" deals with capitalism, or at least private ownership and property rights. By happiness, the drafters of the US Constitution meant property. Specifically, land - but the meaning has broadened over time. To pursue one's happiness in this context is to be able to pursue wealth - a very easy way of measuring utility. Note that it does not say "happiness" outright, but rather the "pursuit of happiness." No minimum utility (read, wealth) is guaranteed, but the ability to amass it for oneself is.

Edit: Wow. Not the Constitution. Declaration of Independence. Shows how much I know.

Edit 2: Okay. Take two.

The preamble may apply "...secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity..." (though that's a very loose interpretation) and the fourth amendment may apply "The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized." It guarantees property rights, but only specifically against illegal search. The Declaration may be a better place to look for founding principles - especially since the Constitution is a bit younger than the Republic itself. It might be interesting to look at the Articles of Confederation, though.
__________________
Quaeso quousque humi defixa tua mens erit? Nonne aspicis, quae in templa veneris?
Reply With Quote