David Nicol wrote:
- Operating systems: Lessons for Libertarians 1.0
Strike the Root by Carlton Hobbs
"A typical example of socialist distribution vs. market distribution is any market where a free society provides many choices but a socialist state makes a singular decision for everyone. Not only does Linux not match this model of socialist centralization, but Microsoft does. Here is the key, by eliminating heavy dependency on proprietary software, you eliminate one centralization of abusable power. Linux ties its user into its knowledge base, but by its license agreement, that ties users into no one in particular, as good ideas can be taken and forked or merged into other projects. It leaves the source code open so anyone who desires can become an expert." (01/17/07)
An interesting article, but the author doesn't seem to understand some basic political concepts. There are different types of socialism. The author is thinking about state socialism/communism and misses the fact that there is a significant anti-statist or libertarian socialist tendency around the world. In fact, around most of the world, "libertarian" is synonymous with "anarchist." Libertarian socialism is another phrase that is equivalent to anarchism.
I'm working on a paper which will explain how the free software and open source movements, as well as much of Web 2.0, are examples of anarchism in action. This has been pointed out by writers several years ago, but really hasn't gained widespread recognition.
Free software like Linux are examples of anarchism in action in that they are cooperative, decentralized, anti-capitalist (to some extent), anti-property (anti-IP), non-government, anti-hierarchical and much more. The free software movement is "socialist" in so far as it reflects the anti-statist socialism of anarchism.
I'll forward a copy of my article in several months when it is finished.
Chuck -------------------------- Bread and Roses Web Design serving small businesses, non-profits, artists and activists http://www.breadandrosesweb.com/