Conversation

As usually happens, I spend the next two days thinking about what would have been a better answer to questions than the ones I gave off the cuff. For instance, I stewed over their question of "why should libertarians care about sociology?"
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I might write something longer about it later, but for now: Individual liberty is a social thing. Certain social structures -- networks, relationships, organizations, etc. -- are more conducive to it than others.
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You can make all the economic arguments you want about the benefits of relatively free markets and minimalist government, but arguments themselves don't do much. Look at what structures encourage the outcomes you prefer.
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That includes being aware of structures that encourage better or worse alternatives to government intervention in conflict, trade, or whatever else. I imagine you'd rather have less law and more negotiated compromise, rather than less law and more violent vengeance.
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Remember you're dealing with grievances and conflicts, morality and partisanship, altruism and interdependence, socialization and culture, intimacy and loyalty, status and power. That's the stuff of social life. It influences law and markets, and social movements to change them.
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Not that econ or any other field totally ignores that stuff. But for many topics the center of gravity is in one field rather than another. Or at least, the good stuff is spread across several fields. Sturgeon's Law notwithstanding.
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