Summary

I hear and read from many libertarians, anarchist and like minded that a 100% free society without governments (on larger as well as on smaller scale) and with a 100% free market is perfectly able to function well! At the same note I hear and read from individuals with the same ideology all the bad things we've seen in history regarding other systems like socialism, democracy and using the most extreme cases without going in details but simply ask if you would like to live in a communistic society as Russia once had, or live in a society the Germans once had in the first part of last century.

I think it is time to stop preaching free societies! It is time to start creating them! The best way convincing people is lead by example! Start small! Show the world how it can be done better!

At the same note, I suggest to start talking and informing people about those projects that are already out in the field like the village Ruigoord and ADM in the Netherlands or Christiania in Copenhagen/Denmark.

Facts and Experiences

Russia is actually very interesting as a comparison. After the communistic system fell down through the revolution Yeltsin started, what came out? The communistic system collapsed, the government didn't had any say in the country anymore, it fell into total chaos. The results we all know: through the chaos, the power was taken by individuals and their groups; individuals/groups that can be referred to as the mob aka mafia. They starting to rule the society and still do. A society suddenly without government, turned into a society where the rules of some individuals and criminals applied! What we need to learn from this is: We need to think carefully how to transform societies. Revolution is not the way to go! Evolution is! I invite all the libertarians come forward with practical ways to start the evolution from government run societies towards non-government run societies.

I read and hear libertarians say: even societies with less government can be very happy and referring to Switzerland and other small states in the western world. I also hear and read: societies in eg Africa are also happy!

Of course in Africa people can be happy, and they look, and are happy! And I know this from first hand experiences, since I spend quite a bit of time in quite a few African countries, and not for holidays! I have had drinks, food and conversations with those who live in the slumps; I have had long conversations with the educated, with the wealthy, with the poor, with the jobless. And I can tell you, a life in most African countries is valued (much) less then in western societies, and many more problems do exists in African society than for instance in the Netherlands. Problems of health, safety, corruption! And although some of these problems have to do with the state, the government; most of them do not: Gangs everywhere! They have nothing to do with any government, but ruling large part of the local communities; Taking but not Giving! Tribe kings who manages again and again to persuade their followers to go to war, leaders who fill their own pockets, leaders who do not have the common interest of their followers in mind. And these tribes are not states or governments! Actually, the state can only exist because they deal with the tribe kings. When they would not, the state/government would stop existing! Tribes are ruling the countries, not the state/governments! Being member of these tribes is more or less on voluntary bases! Isn't that what libertarians and like minded are preaching?

Facts: most African countries have the basic necessities not arranged in their societies: no work, no money, no facilities, no schools, no electricity. I've sat in many meeting at companies that have money (much more than the average) and needed to use my smartphone to get some light in the room very regularly. Even the generators and backup generators did not work, while the electricity goes down many times a day.

Facts: when dad feels his son or daughter is becoming to intelligent by going to school, the kid is not allowed to go anymore! Of course, this is an example of several cases and does not apply to all fathers, but just saying! If you will, I get the person who experienced these events over and over again while being a teacher in small African villages to write a post for you; Absolutely first hand experience!

Facts: when water wells are developed by charity organisation in a village that had none, the females are destroying these again and again. Why? They want to be away from their own home for the entire day walking to the next village to get water, since when staying at home they will be beaten all day long by their husbands! Again, this does not apply to every family and husband and wife/mother, but these cases are not an exception! These cases are quite common! And again, if you will, I get the persons who experienced these events over and over again to write a post for you; Again, absolutely first hand experience!

About happiness: Well The Netherlands is generally voted for as having one of the most happiest citizens in the world; this year we are at 6th position; Read about it here. Why are countries that have a very solid social system taking care for those who are jobless, who are ill, who are old and so on, always end up in the top of the charts?

Stop Preaching, Start Real Conversations with Depth

I suggest to start talking and informing people about those projects that are already out in the field like the village Ruigoord and ADM in the Netherlands or Christiania in Copenhagen/Denmark. I happen to know a little bit of Ruigoord and ADM.

I'm someone who still need to be convinced we can create societies based on 100% freedom, 100% free market, 100% capitalism, without a (local) government, but I do visit those places and engage with people the people being part of these local communities. I still know too little to be able to state something about Ruigoord and ADM, what works and what not. But I can tell you, it is for sure not all hunky-dory! On the other hand, I have my fun and learning times when being at these places, whether it is for a nice festival, or the conversations I have with individuals who have their art workshops at Ruigoord, have decision making positions in the community, or live there with their entire family with children born and raised within the community.

I do not want to mention all the failed projects and societies here in this post, since I simple do not know enough of them. But when searching for the lists of failed libertarian/anarchist (and similar) projects and societies in Google or any other search engine, you'll see the list is BIG. I invite all libertarians and anarchist to tell me that I'm wrong! I love to hear your side of the story. But, please, I also ask you to take a 360 degree view at things, since that is the only way to create bridges between individuals with different opinions, the only way to have meaningful dialogues, the only way to learn, the only way to come to practical solutions, the only way to convince others.

Stop Preaching, Start Acting

I think it is time to stop preaching free societies! It is time to start creating them! The best way convincing people is lead by example! Start small! Show the world how it can be done better!

sources [1][2][3][4][5]

NJOY

follow me @edje