What questions does the free-market view face?

Here are the normal objections:

•    What will happen to the kids who can’t afford school?
•    What about all the poor and aged? How will they survive?
•    Isn’t your version of a society rather harsh to the needy? How can we let them suffer?

If the government’s only role is to define force and to stop it, then what about everything else the government does right now?

In this series I’m explaining my view of a just government.
To read from the beginning click here.

How does a government reduce force in human life? There are two main ways: a legal system (the legislature and the law courts), and a defense system (the police and the military).

A proper government has only these two functions: to define what constitutes the initiation of force, and to stop those who initiate it, be they criminals or invaders.

The king’s strength also loveth judgment; thou dost establish equity. -Psalm 99:4a

Americans place a high value on equality, and rightly so. But what is equality? Is it the same as egalitarianism? Social justice? As we see in Psalm 99:4, a righteous judge favors neither the poor nor the rich, but deals equitably with all. People have the right to equal treatment under the law, not equal lifestyle. That is what the concept “equity” means: impartiality.

Some suppose that “fairness” involves taking from the rich and giving to the poor. With this as a supposition, it is understandable that they would misconstrue Scripture through a socialist lens. But Scripture speaks of equity.

It’s a tall claim to say that the Bible supports laissez faire capitalism. Important (even conservative) Christian voices would reject the idea. But it’s the claim I’m making. Over the next several posts I’ll support it.