I do not like to put a label on my political beliefs, but one of the main elements is a belief in smaller government generally. This doesn’t come from a very deep understanding of libertarian philosophy, but from my economics training and general understanding and experience of the world as it is. In particular the experience of the government response to coronavirus has massively sharpened my understanding of the misery governments can cause and the mistakes they can make when taking too much power over the lives of their citizens.
"Without elaborating on the entire history of class-conflict and growth in the size of government in the last century, I think it is fair to say that the more equal a society is (before government redistribution) the less the demand for redistribution, and the better a chance for a small state."
I am not an expert by a long shot, but I am under the impression that, while some level of inequality is necessary before demands for large-scale government redistribution can occur, it is not sufficient. You also need a muckraking intelligentsia class that is envious of the rich. It's the elites/elite-adjacent/would-be elites who are not successful in the market that usually spearhead the big-government distributionist agenda.
Good summary of your ideas! I am away at the moment, and fortunately that will give me time to noodle over it. Full length response coming.
"Without elaborating on the entire history of class-conflict and growth in the size of government in the last century, I think it is fair to say that the more equal a society is (before government redistribution) the less the demand for redistribution, and the better a chance for a small state."
I am not an expert by a long shot, but I am under the impression that, while some level of inequality is necessary before demands for large-scale government redistribution can occur, it is not sufficient. You also need a muckraking intelligentsia class that is envious of the rich. It's the elites/elite-adjacent/would-be elites who are not successful in the market that usually spearhead the big-government distributionist agenda.