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>> The key point though is that I am simply defending the status quo; it is
>> Libertarians who want to change things. Yet for some reason, Mwa apparently
>> believes that it is me who needs to "prove" his case. Sorry guys, the world
>> doesn't work like that. Rather, given the existence of adjustment costs, the
>> onus usually falls on the advocate of change to show that there are good
>> prospects that it would enhance welfare. Thus, it is up to you Libertarian
>> loonies to show that the market is likely to get us closer to optimality than
>> government in relation to defence; not up to me to prove that it wouldn't. Most libertarians believe the onus of proof is on the person (or
organization) initiating force - ie that rights should belong to the individual
unless The State can demonstrate a need to take them away. Statists believe that all rights belong to the state except those which the
state chooses to grant to the individual. Clearly if you start from those very different positions you will end up at
very different places.
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