tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6756434140794129886.post-28068588161577902282008-03-18T07:51:00.001-07:002008-03-18T07:51:34.937-07:00A Libertarian Safety Net<SPAN class=555240314-18032008> <DIV><SPAN class=555240314-18032008></SPAN>G<SPAN class=555240314-18032008>eolibertarianism includes an excellent solution here. Geolibertarianism points out that in the state of nature there is always marginal but productive land available for use, and that observation of the Lockean proviso (leaving "as much and as good") should have ensured that this remained the case. To the extent that it is no longer the case, excluding people from access to the natural productive opportunities on what used to be the commons is unjust. Therefore, the "ground rent" of land should be considered part of the commons, with each individual having an equal claim on it. Technically, ground rent is is the excess production obtained by using a site in its most productive use, compared to the production obtained by applying equivalent inputs of labor and capital at the most productive site where the application doesn't require (additional) payments for use of the site. In other words, ground rent is the advantage you get from exclusive use of a site compared to the most productive available site that is not in use.</SPAN></DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=555240314-18032008></SPAN> </DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=555240314-18032008>In practice, this could be implement with a <A href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Land_value_tax">land value tax</A> that funds a <A href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citizen%27s_dividend">citizen's dividend</A>. My site <A href="http://ecolibertarian.org/">http://ecolibertarian.org/</A> gives more references, and my draft <A href="http://ecolibertarian.org/manifesto">EcoLibertarian manifesto</A> is an attempt to use geolibertarianism to find common ground (literally) between greens and libertarians. It can be summarized as:</SPAN></DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=555240314-18032008></SPAN> </DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=555240314-18032008>Outlaw only fraud and force initiation. Tax only land rent and polluting/ congesting/ consuming the commons. Provide only network natural monopolies and protection of life and liberty. Do it all decentrally, democratically, with due process and never discrimination.</SPAN></DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=555240314-18032008></SPAN> </DIV></SPAN>Brian Holtzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18284822676116941984noreply@blogger.com