Apr 18 2009
Patri Friedman Outlines New Approaches to Libertarian Activism
An excellent new essay by Patri Friedman, “Beyond Folk Activism,” discusses some fundamental shortcomings of traditional pro-freedom activism and suggests less intuitive but more powerful ways to overcome these shortcomings. As creatures who evolved in small tribes where everyone had the ability to directly speak to and persuade everyone else, we humans still have the intuition that by talking about an issue sufficiently with the people around us, we can effect substantial change. In the highly complex, technological civilization of modernity – with billions of people to persuade rather than tens – this approach does not work. The best kinds of activism are the ones that do not require the participation or even the agreement of the vast majority of people, and Friedman’s Seasteading project attempts to do just that. Generally, a more sophisticated and effective activist needs to focus on creating new kinds of goods – including technologies and capital goods – that advance the cause of liberty in themselves, without requiring the assent of the general society to be brought into existence.
Sincerely,
Gennady Stolyarov II
“The best kinds of activism are the ones that do not require the participation” Im sorry no disrespect but that is totally oxymoronic. To say that effective “activism” doesn’t require “partisipation” is like saying you don’t have to do anyhthing to get things done. No indeed “with out struggle there is no progress” and the nature of humans has not changed thats why they are moved in masses by powerful speakers and often moved to action. Now is no time to be passive now is the time to be active. It maybe a larger tribe but people are still people and share common emotions and have common needs. Finding common ground and WORKING for change whether its writing for the NY times or a blog or just speaking with your neighbors is expanding the collective consciousness. And nature will come out… If you didnt think dialogue had value why would you be blogging. It has value to ourselves even if no one reads it, by fleshing out our ideas they become more clear to ourselves and hopefully to others. As the author of the posting you linked said, “Also, I want to clearly avow that while I criticize folk activism, it often still drives my action” I would say that is the bottom line. What moves you to action and human interaction is fundamental regardless of the size of a society.
Nameste brah