Forwarded message:

From: Matthew James Gering <mgering@ecosystems.net> Subject: RE: GPL & commercial software, the critical distinction (fwd) Date: Thu, 1 Oct 1998 18:01:23 -0700

I wrote:

...

...

Show me an example of an unregulated coercive monopoly whose source of monopoly power is not ultimately the government.

Jim Choate answered:

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The Mafia. The handful of world-class coke dealers. Your local church.

The church had a monopoly on religion.

Churches monopolize faith (but let's not go there).

Not any more.

Tell that to the Isreali's and the Arab's, the Serbs and the Slav's, The Hutu's and the whoever they are I can't think of at the moment, the Irish Protestants and Catholics, etc., etc., ad nausium... When it had it was

supported by the state or by its own use of force. The other two

force is one form of coercion, faith can be another.

organizations use force to maintain their monopoly, and again both are supported indirectly (sometimes more directly than we like to think) by the state. The state prohibits free competition, it is a black market.

A free-market is defined as consisting of the supplier and the consumer without a regulatory body. It doesn't prohibit a third group *wanting* to regulate that market. Or of either the producer or consumer using violence to prevent it.

When I talk of a free market I man Laissez Faire Capitalism, not Anarcho-Capitalism.

What's the specific difference? What is the fundamental litmus test between a Laisez Faire and a Anarcho? In one case there is no recognized arch to be had to regulate the market and in the other the third party simply opts out of participating. In what way are the resulting markets different from either the producers or consumers view?

The abolition of force is a requisite (and the only proper role of government).

Explain further what you mean by abolition of force is a prerequisite please. And what specificaly do you mean by proper role of government? ____________________________________________________________________ The seeker is a finder. Ancient Persian Proverb The Armadillo Group ,::////;::-. James Choate Austin, Tx /:'///// ``::>/|/ ravage@ssz.com www.ssz.com .', |||| `/( e\ 512-451-7087 -====~~mm-'`-```-mm --'- --------------------------------------------------------------------