Your argument that only individuals can be their own moral agents is not convincing. If that is so, why do we need a government? When Locke, Hobbes, Rousseau talked about the rationality for a government, it was for the very reason that society could not be left to individual moral compass.

About gambling, just for getting some revenues, should government legitimatise gambling? If so, how about brothels? Government not legitimatising it hasn't stopped people from  getting involved in it, so by the same login are you fine about legitimatizing brothels?

Ayesha

Your argument that only individuals can be their own moral agents is not convincing.

Who else but yourself can be responsible for your actions?

Writer's conclusion is over-simplistic and misleading (unfortunately, her attitude towards drug,alcohol,porn,casino etc. is very much based on this over-simplistic conclusion). If it was only the individual morality then we would not need any external boundaries,rules regulations and laws.

Even the serious criminologists accept that crime and criminal human behaviour are extremely complex and believe many factors interplay viz. individual(moral values,upbringing,even brain diseases)etc.,psychological,social,prevailing laws, relatively easy or difficult access etc.

One example for Ms Nepal to consider, there is much more gun related homicides in US compared to European countries- easy access to guns in the US explains a lot.

Mu humble request to Ms Nepal - please do some serious study before writing on such complex issues like crime,criminal behaviour,morality etc.

Recently, a New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof argued that makeing 'pot' free in California could save as much as 17 billion dollars for the U.S. Govt. So, like Kristof, I liked this thesis very much. For, every man is not Socrates. We must know that law alone is not binding when multiple forces disrupt the fora amidst the politically nascent status of our nation.

First 1. these stupid squanderers are never going to be stopped ,as shows in any portion of the globe 2. tax is essential for every sound economy, and is the basis of modern capitalism 3.new approaches to dealing with problems like drugs, crimes, family relations should be duly adressed as these issues can't be restricted by law so effectively.

I loved your idea.

Mr. Wadhwa has recently released a novel, called 'the deal maker'. Releasing a libertarian novel at a time like this clearly shows his itnrepid dedication to libertarian ideas. The novel is the first of its kind in South Asia, and is modelled on "Atlas Shrugged" by Ayn Rand. Its a wonderful read. And gives an immense perpective into the possibilities of liberty.

In fact the model described for India in the book might well be employed for nepal. Nepal as an emerging nation state, would want its economy to develope, and the deal maker provides a great perspective into how this might be possible. In fact as seen through Mr. wadhwa's eyes libertarian ideas are really benifit the common man and are not the privelege of an elite but rather the heritage of anyone who strives in a feild.

Actually the law and order of the country should equally be imposed to all people either for national or international who reside in the country. Here is a big flaw in the country�s law. It has given legal right to international people to involve in gambling while for the national citizen it is a big crime. Why? While residing in my country whether he is an American or an Indian, whether he is living in star-hotel or he is spending night in footpath, all has to obey the country�s rules.

If gambling is a crime as per the country�s rules, all should obey it perfectly. Otherwise, all Nepalese people should get entry into all casinos without any restriction. If gambling is crime why do you invite foreigners to involve in crime? This is my question to the Government authority. If it is a crime,  stop it strictly, if not, open for all equally.