Is Libertarianism a Sign of Mental Illness?

Posted by Daniel J. Mitchell

I don't know whether this belongs in the comic-relief category or the
future-threats category, but the Harvard Law School is having a conference
to analyze the "free market mindset." The basic premise of the
conference seems to be that people who believe in limited government are
psychologically troubled.

The conference schedule features presentations such as "How Thinking
Like an Economist Undermines Community" and "Addicted to
Incentives: How the Ideology of Self Interest Can Be Self-Fulfilling."
The most absurd presentation, though, may be the one entitled,
"Colossal Failure: The Output Bias of Market Economies."
According to the description, the author argues that the market
"delivers excessive levels of consumption." Damn those
entrepreneurs for creating so much wealth!

In the good old days of Soviet dictatorship, the regime classified
dissidents as being mentally ill (after all, only a nutcase would fail to
see the glories of communism).

Now that leftists at Harvard want to portray laissez-faire philosophy as
being somewhat akin to a mental disorder, maybe the next step will be
re-education camps for Cato staff? Maybe the next "stimulus" bill
could include a few earmarks for such facilities? I'm keeping my fingers
crossed that I get sent some place warm.
Daniel J. Mitchell o February 25, 2009 {at} 11:48 am

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