tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831810813762214573.post7446674517887820633..comments2023-12-23T02:31:53.346+11:00Comments on The ShadowLands: Capitalism and Freedom by John Butler of the John Butler Trio Part IIIMargo's Maidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07033240632142631251noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831810813762214573.post-35658617281979407842008-05-27T15:48:00.000+10:002008-05-27T15:48:00.000+10:00therefore, I think Mr Butler's claim could more co...therefore, I think Mr Butler's claim could more correctly have been worded thus: "there are enemies of freedom in all sectors of society, even, surprisingly in many quarters in the business sector"<BR/><BR/>There may even be a difference between big-city urban businessmen, who tend to be hard core free marketeers, and rural businessmen, who have been known on occasion to be reactionary big-government xenophobic protectionists. A simplistic division, perhaps but it might be a useful way of thinking about it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831810813762214573.post-81742989899144236582008-05-27T11:36:00.000+10:002008-05-27T11:36:00.000+10:00I think the comments about businesses can be more ...I think the comments about businesses can be more accurately applied to some sectors than others. <BR/>I'm thinking of the agricultural sector in particular. Every farm is a small business. In theory, they should be the biggest free-market capitalists around, but in reality the organisations that represent them, and many farmers themselves (although not all) tend to have all kinds of anti-free-society ideas.<BR/>They like protectionism, government handouts, picking of winners, they dont like privatisation or private ownership in general, they're immensely suspicious of market forces and free trade.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831810813762214573.post-31360723156206535682008-05-27T08:55:00.000+10:002008-05-27T08:55:00.000+10:00Butler has many influences - but more than just a ...Butler has many influences - but more than just a smidge of Milton Friedman, I'd say.Margo's Maidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07033240632142631251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831810813762214573.post-49813424722133115832008-05-27T08:05:00.000+10:002008-05-27T08:05:00.000+10:00I think it's amazing how much Butler sounds like H...I think it's amazing how much Butler sounds like Hayek. I mean really like Hayek.<BR/><BR/>And anonymous, to be fair to Butler/Hayek, my experience of talking to business groups over a long period is that most of them are fully supportive of free markets except for their industry. And they do support it for their industry in the long term, just not yet.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831810813762214573.post-55659452206464767672008-05-27T07:44:00.000+10:002008-05-27T07:44:00.000+10:00Butler's views can be controversial, but there is ...Butler's views can be controversial, but there is no mistaking his passion for the free market.Margo's Maidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07033240632142631251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831810813762214573.post-81552469411635940622008-05-26T20:35:00.000+10:002008-05-26T20:35:00.000+10:00Errr...on second thoughts he's a lefty scumbag.How...Errr...on second thoughts he's a lefty scumbag.<BR/><BR/>How many capitalists does he know looking for govt protection from free markets?<BR/><BR/>The odd one in the footwear business....<BR/><BR/>Matey Butler has latched onto a non existent stereotype.<BR/><BR/>Near extinction of Polar Bears next?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831810813762214573.post-29144872546072993582008-05-26T18:19:00.000+10:002008-05-26T18:19:00.000+10:00Weeell...appearances meet deceptiveAlways assumed ...Weeell...appearances meet deceptive<BR/><BR/>Always assumed this bloke was a socialist hand wringer....maybe not...let's waitAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831810813762214573.post-27428273481938888622008-05-26T17:46:00.000+10:002008-05-26T17:46:00.000+10:00I don’t think that a revolutionary, once-and-for-a...<I>I don’t think that a revolutionary, once-and-for-all approach [to achieving political liberty] will succeed.</I><BR/>Most people do not want it. Most are happy with the "messiness" it works most of the time.stackja1945https://www.blogger.com/profile/06950209922917136207noreply@blogger.com