Debate: Bob Murphy vs. Walter Block (May Libertarians Accept Government Money?)

[Occam's Banana]

Ep. 472 Debate, Murphy vs. Block: May Libertarians Accept Government Money?
http://tomwoods.com/podcast/ep-470-debate-murphy-vs-block-may-libertarians-accept-government-money/
The Tom Woods Show (18 August 2015)

Should libertarians ever take government funds? Another question that divides the libertarian world. Two show regulars are here for another exciting debate!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dq7lB-TFhkk


About the Guests

Robert P. Murphy holds a Ph.D. in economics from New York University. He is the author of numerous books (see below), including study guides to Ludwig von Mises’ Human Action (study guide here) and The Theory of Money and Credit (study guide here), and Murray Rothbard’s Man, Economy, and State (study guide here).

Walter Block holds an endowed chair in economics at Loyola University New Orleans. He is the author of many books, including Defending the Undefendable, and nearly 500 peer-reviewed articles.

Guests’ Websites

Free Advice
WalterBlock.com

Guests’ Twitter

@BobMurphyEcon
@WalterEBlock

Guest’s Facebook

Robert Murphy

Related Article

“May a Libertarian Take Money from the Government?” by Walter Block

Previous Block Debate (Mentioned in Episode)

Ep. 468 Rand Paul: Yes or No? Walter Block and Scott Horton Debate (Walter Block and Scott Horton)

Related Episode

Ep. 458 May a Libertarian Take Money from the State? (Walter Block)

 

[Bastiat's The Law]

I enjoyed this discussion. Good points on both sides.

 

[TaftFan]

I tend to agree with Block's position, but his arguments for his position are terrible.

He simultaneously argues that everyone and only libertarian disruptors can take government money. Pick a side and stick with it. Sure, his position as a professor undermines the government, but suggesting that a janitor cause havoc? Seriously?

His rebuttal to Murphy's liquor store analogy should have been this: that government workers not directly in the process of stealing (like the getaway driver in the analogy) are not accessories.

As for Murphy needing to solve the problem of using roads, etc. perhaps it can be seen as a permanency issue. The government steals and builds roads and there is no way to pay the money back. The roads are physical and a sunk cost so to speak. (Yes, maintainence is another issue but allow it for the sake of an example). On the other hand, the EPA is constantly taking stolen money, so being involved with them is being actively part of a crime.

 

[William Tell]

Is libertarianism just a fancy word for naval gazing? I'm starting to wonder.

 

[Occam's Banana]

Is libertarianism just a fancy word for naval gazing? I'm starting to wonder.

It's certainly not just a fancy word for voting harder ...

(And it's "navel," not "naval." )

 

[Brian4Liberty]

Is libertarianism just a fancy word for naval gazing? I'm starting to wonder.

Yep, naval gazing...