I have a question regarding the environment and libertarians?

I am a pro environmental person, and I was wondering how the water, animals, and air will be protected if we had libertarians running the country. I understand privatization of certain things, but how would that prevent pollution of the oceans, which obviously can not be privatized. Would companies be required by law to clean up oil spills and other accidents?

 

libertarian doesn't necessarily mean privatization and I don't imagine a purely libertarian system will ever exist. there are some resources, especially in urban areas, like water that will always remain under control by a government entity. common resources like air and water can't be destroyed or polluted or the one responsible will be made to 'fix' it. in other words you can't affect or harm another person without consequences. as far as plants and animals go, thats an issue that, as far as I know, has yet to be worked out. I don't imagine suddenly tossing out our progressing ideas about saving species simply due to a philosophical shift. under a libertarian system taking responsibility for your actions is going to play heavily towards being responsible for the environment as well. naturally there are going to be libertarians that are more environmentally conscious. besides if we end up with "libertarians running the country" and you don't like the way they're handling some issues, speak out. you'll be a lot more free to do so.

 

If they are against business regulations, who's to stop big companies from dumping oil in every body of water, from filling up the air with smog, and killing off plants and animals?

 

Who says they are?

 

Perhaps your premise is incorrect, implying that Libertarians are against ALL regulations. If you can find someone who would support the legalization of big, or small companies, or even individuals being allowed to dump oil or any other chemical or contaminant into our water sources, I doubt they would be considered a true Libertarian, but instead a criminal.

 

A lot of people hear Libertarians say that they want to end the EPA, and get all bent out of shape thinking they're some heartless bastard who doesn't care for the environment. When in reality, the EPA today does little more than profit from pollution. I think it could be better handled on a local level. Putting those who are actually invested in an area in charge of keeping it clean, instead of some Bureaucrat on the other side of the country.

 

Like that would change anything. That would just mean those profiting from pollution would be local politicians rather than the EPA. Local politicians and their cash suppliers aren't any less crooked than those at the state or federal levels.

 

Local politicians are much more easily controlled than those who only have contact with their constituents at election time, if even then.

 

I'm sorry I'm a little confused by the question?

 

Probably about the same as the capitalists,which is to say--hit and miss with plenty of lip service but no action if the making of money is threatened. Money trumps environmentalism in the present state of affairs.

 

There is another thread about "Libertarians Protecting the Environment", which pretty much concluded that libertarians would not protect the environment. This is the main reason I am not a libertarian.

 

Libertarians would not protect the environment. Their theory gets very weak in this area. They have romantic notions that ordinary people could successfully sue large polluters.

 

Well right now, large polluters just bribe the EPA so things really can't get much worse, can they? :biker::2thumbsup:

 

It could get a lot, lot worse if libertarians were running the show.

 

As Individual himself has said--there is no libertarian government anywhere. But I still maintain-- you want a good example of libertarianism at work--try Somalia. Ann Rands everyone- for -themselves example of utopia. Yes sir--the quicker we get rid of ALL regulations and oversight so that people,corporations-and politicians can do anything they want, then we'll have some real freedom. Environment--we don't need no stinkin' environment. Go shopping.

 

^Some people confuse Libertarians with anarchists.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Libertarianism

 

Why, I oughta----

 

^ the key word beig some

The same article:

Just as with any political affiliation, you will find vast differences from one Libertarian to the next. There is even a branch of the Libertarian party that call themselves Green/Echo-Libertarians.
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_libertarianism



This is what the American Libertarian Party's website says about environmentalism, and they make some very valid points.
http://www.lp.org/issues/environment

 

Agreed. That was a good article. Would that they were the majority of libertarians.