Oscar Wilde said "a cynic is a man who knows the price of everything but the value of nothing". In the same spirit I say "a classical liberal or an economist is a man that believes that societies are nothing more than markets". And libertarians think societies are just an individual multiplied by n, where n > 1; they ignore that people interact and depend on each other.
Besides the list provided, I'd add 4) the state must protect the values of a society, also. Universal health care, avoiding abortions, protecting the environment, controlling proliferation of drugs are ethical values. The state must do it because it is just wrong not to do it.
Think of it as a "social infrastructure" akin to strengthening the social fabric or the human ties, of a society. It makes it more resilient to crisis.
In the same spirit I say "a classical liberal or an economist is a man that believes that societies are nothing more than markets".
Ridiculous strawman. If anything, it's the left that acts as though society is a simple system that can be effectively steered by central planning. And of course, selfless regulators will only steer in the right direction...
I'd add 4) the state must protect the values of a society, also
Which values? Christianity? Defending the sanctity of marriage? Preventing mixing of the races?
Universal health care, avoiding abortions, protecting the environment, controlling proliferation of drugs are ethical values. The state must do it because it is just wrong not to do it.
Ah, the values that you personally like. And it's wrong to not ruin the lives of recreational pot smokers?
Besides the list provided, I'd add 4) the state must protect the values of a society, also. Universal health care, avoiding abortions, protecting the environment, controlling proliferation of drugs are ethical values. The state must do it because it is just wrong not to do it.
Think of it as a "social infrastructure" akin to strengthening the social fabric or the human ties, of a society. It makes it more resilient to crisis.