> there is much discussion on the success of holland. commentators
> often focus on the liberal, 'progressive' social policies and laws of
> holland. and, they credit the economic and social success of holland
> on these factors. but, this is to confuse the gravy with the meat. i
> would argue that the libertarian freedoms of holland are the PRODUCT,
> not the cause of holland's success. it is the recess that the dutch
> enjoy after having done the homework and passed the test. would you
> fix a school full of bad students by expanding recess? no, recess is
> for kids who've done their homework.
>
> ask this question. suppose holland never passed those libertarian
> laws. would holland today be poor, backward, un-modern? of course
> not. or, suppose holland got rid of their loose laws on drugs,
> prostitution, and so forth on. would holland then become a poor and
> socially unstable nation? of course not. now, there may indeed be
> merit to those laws of holland that allow greater personal freedom
> regarding drug use and sex business. but, are those the reason why
> holland is rich, stable, clean, and efficient? or, are those things
> holland enjoys, tolerates, and allows BECAUSE it was rich, stable, ...