...Since the dawn of time, libertarians have equated property rights with freedom. Intuitively, this makes a lot of sense: if the government can come and confiscate your stuff, or tell you what to do with it, you don't feel very free at all. But libertarians tend to take this basic concept to its maximal extent; the more things are brought within the cash nexus, the more free we become...But is that right? What would it really feel like to live in a society where almost every single thing is privately owned and priced? Walking around urban Japan, I feel like I am seeing a society that is several steps closer to that ideal than the United States. You may have heard that Japan is a government-directed society, and in many ways it is. But in terms of the constituents of daily life being privately owned and marginally priced, it is a libertarian's dream world...
...For example, there are relatively few free city parks. Many green spaces are private and gated off (admission is usually around $5). On the streets, there are very few trashcans; people respond to this in the way libertarians would want, by exercising personal responsibility and carrying their trash home with them in little baggies. There are also very few public benches. In cafes, each customer must order something promptly or be kicked out; outside your house or office, there is basically nowhere to sit down that will not cost you a little bit of money. Public buildings generally have no drinking fountains; you must buy or bring your own water. Free wireless? Good luck finding that! Does all this private property make me feel free? Absolutely not!...more...
The blogger's description of Japan seems a bit America-centric. Free wi-fi still isn't on the menu for most large cities in the world. Japan lost quite a few public rubbish bins for the same reason that they disappeared in Britain - terrorist threats - but it's rare you have to take rubbish home unless you've gone hiking. Stations and convenience stores have plenty of bins which more than compensates. There aren't many cafes and restaurants anywhere in the world which let you sit at a table without ordering anything, unless you explain you are waiting, so Japan doesn't seem much of an outlier. I always find it more surprising how places will let you squat at a table at length even if you've only ordered a coffee costing 160 yen.
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