Reply #18: ". . .very naïve and immature or very selfish and egotistical." That hurts.

[TheFriendlyAnarchist]

I am selfish and egotistical, but let's look past that for a moment.

"That humans can be counted upon to always act from enlightened self-interest. . . .The examples we have of minimal regulation of capitalism from the 19th century should be quite sufficient to convince anyone that regulation is not only necessary but essential (unless you think 8-year-olds working in factories and coal mines is a GOOD thing, that is...and that's where an absence of 'government interference' ends up)."

You realize that's the EXACT same thing I said right? In history, the system hasn't worked, and most likely can't work, just because there are too many human variables. In essence, there are too many idiots and assholes. HOWEVER, just because it can't work in our world (okay, this sounds stupid I know. I do have some semblance of a point coming up) doesn't mean the system can't be acknowledged and recognized as a good idea. That's all I've ever said. Even though I thought Anarcho Capitalism is a good idea in theory (assuming people 'act from enlightened self interest'- good way of putting it btw) doesn't mean I advocate people trying to use it.

Communism was my previous example. It is a good idea, but it's never gonna work. We can still appreciate it as a good idea though, without all joining the Communist party can't we?

I did notice however that you disagree with it's theory even without the abysmal historical attempts at putting it into practice. That's fine. I just wanted to try to make that distinction before I get ignored by too many people :)