But if welfare is the primary alternative at present, and if welfare depends on taxes which are enforced through similar coercion, then mightn't child support still present as a reasonable policy? In other words, what leads you to preference welfare over child support given that both involve the use of coercion by the government? (This is also on the assumption that child support through private charity is thoroughly unlikely in the short term future).
Good question. Welfare is preferable because it distributes the burden equally (I know, not something I would usually say).
I don't agree with singling out the biological parent to pay, because I believe their responsibility for the child is an arbitrary construct based on antiquated cultural and religious expectations. I see nothing wrong with abortion, and given that, I believe having a child is 100% a lifestyle choice. If one parent wants to have a child and the other doesn't, the parent that wants the child should have absolutely no right to make the other parent pay for it.
Practical question - then what becomes of your peaceful AC alternative is you run with the implication on non-popularity? If it is unatainable isn't that a call for a modified political philosophy?
Not really. World peace, or an end to hunger may be unattainable, but we don't stop striving for it.
In the meantime it is important to set realistic goals like cutting taxes and legalizing marijuana, but ultimately I'm not going to change my view of what is right just because others don't agree.
I also think the watered down version of libertarianism is less convincing to people anyway. It's more powerful to just come right out and say that you want to get rid of the whole damned government. In fact, the reason I became AC was because I was initially shocked and disgusted by the idea, which provoked me to research it further.