Interview | Description | Timestamps | Show Notes

iTunes | Google | Spotify | Stitcher | SoundCloud | YouTube | Deezer | TuneIn | RSS Feed

Download Episode MP3 File
The file will open in a new window. Click down arrow to download the file.

Location: Skype
Date: Friday, 27th March
Project: Libertarian Institute
Role: Founder & Director

With the rapid spread of coronavirus COVID-19, governments around the world are taking drastic action to try and flatten the curve, slow the infection rate and take the strain off already struggling healthcare systems.

China’s authoritarian government quickly implemented strict controls, sealing people into apartments and increasing surveillance. All of which were reported as very useful, at least temporarily in slowing the spread. But, under democratic rule, how far can and should, the state go to save lives?

Many governments have issued lockdowns forbidding people from leaving their homes for all but essential tasks and businesses order to close. Many of the measures are designed as temporary, but some fear that governments will be reluctant to revoke these new controls once the pandemic is over

There is a direct trade-off between the encroachment on our civil liberties and saving lives, so are the strict measures worth it? And where do you draw the line?

In this interview, I talk to Scott Horton, the Founder and Director of the Libertarian Institute. We discuss the ongoing coronavirus crisis, if a state is beneficial in this extreme public health crisis and how an anarchist society would deal with a pandemic.

00:05:15: Introductions
00:06:04: Libertarianism in a crisis
00:13:31: Minarchism and anarchism
00:17:32: Coronavirus lockdown
00:22:55: Limitations of central planning
00:30:19: Creation of rules that restrict movement
00:33:30: The Ratchet effect
00:37:41: Scott’s view on the movement restrictions
00:42:08: Governments using crises for their benefit
00:44:10: Challenge to libertarian identity
00:48:35: Modelling future risks
00:50:36: Under-reaction or overreaction
00:53:17: Should businesses be supported?
01:01:13: Outcomes from widescale unemployment
01:05:31: Scott’s views on Bitcoin
01:08:15: Final comments

SUPPORT THE SHOW

If you enjoy The What Bitcoin Did Podcast you can help support the show my doing the following:

• Become a Patron and get access to shows early or help contribute

• Make a tip:

  • Bitcoin: 3FiC6w7eb3dkcaNHMAnj39ANTAkv8Ufi2S

  • QR Codes: Bitcoin

  • If you do send a tip then please email me so that I can say thank you

• Subscribe on iTunes | Spotify | Stitcher | SoundCloud | YouTube | TuneIn | RSS Feed

• Leave a review on iTunes

• Share the show and episodes with your friends and family

• Subscribe to the newsletter on my website

• Follow me on Twitter Personal | Twitter Podcast | Instagram | Medium | YouTube

If you are interested in sponsoring the show, you can read more about that here or please feel free to drop me an email to discuss options.

SPONSORS

• Connect with Scott:

  • On Twitter

  • On LinkedIn

  • On his website

  • At the Libertarian Institute

• Mentioned in the interview: 

• Principle of non-aggression 

• Libertarianism in Emergencies

• Anarchism

• Minarchism

• Texas prosecutor to serve 10 days for innocent man's 25-year imprisonment  

• Coronavirus: Prime Minister Boris Johnson tests positive 

• ‘It’s Just Everywhere Already’: How Delays in Testing Set Back the U.S. Coronavirus Response 

• Ratchet effect

• As Coronavirus Surveillance Escalates, Personal Privacy Plummets

• Police and governments may increasingly adopt surveillance technologies in response to coronavirus fears

• Will Boeing Take Bailout Funds? Mnuchin Statement May Not Rule It Out. American Could Tap $12B But Unsure If Will Meet Conditions

• The huge coronavirus bailouts will need to be paid back. Or will they?

• Coronavirus: 'Radical' money printing plan being considered by the Bank of England

• U.S. stimulus package is biggest ever, but may not be big enough 

• Ron Paul

• Other relevant WBD podcasts:

  • WBD203: Coronavirus Lockdown in Italy with Giacomo Zucco

  • WBD171: Michael Goldstein on Rejecting All Forms of Activism

  • WBD150: Erik Voorhees on Understanding Libertarianism

  • WBD141 - Stephan Livera on Austrian Economics, Libertarianism and Bitcoin

  • WBD127 - Saifedean Ammous on Understanding Bitcoin Economics

  • WBD114: Giacomo Zucco on Why Brexit Is Good for the UK (and Bitcoin)

  • WBD039: The B Foundation and Nouriel Roubini's Testimony to Congress with Giacomo Zucco