Comments on: An introduction to minarchism http://www.homelandstupidity.us/2006/07/08/an-introduction-to-minarchism/ Protect yourself from government gaffes, bureaucratic blunders and incumbent incompetence Mon, 06 Feb 2012 16:25:45 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Jose http://www.homelandstupidity.us/2006/07/08/an-introduction-to-minarchism/#comment-21186 Jose Mon, 29 Aug 2011 06:11:15 +0000 http://www.homelandstupidity.us/2006/07/08/an-introduction-to-minarchism/#comment-21186 My only criticism of the article: "Whether or not minarchism is a viable ideology in practice remains to be seen; after all, no state has attempted to make reforms to anywhere near a minarchist level." I do believe the early USA leaders (especially after the "reforms" of 1787 commonly known as the Bill of Rights), and some Greek city-states, met the criteria that this article itself defined as minarchy. But as for taking a bloated gov, and with no period of violent revolution, making "reforms" to make it smaller AGAIN (small enough to meet this article's criteria of what the author considers "minarchy"), I'm not as sure. My only criticism of the article:

“Whether or not minarchism is a viable ideology in practice remains to be seen; after all, no state has attempted to make reforms to anywhere near a minarchist level.”

I do believe the early USA leaders (especially after the “reforms” of 1787 commonly known as the Bill of Rights), and some Greek city-states, met the criteria that this article itself defined as minarchy. But as for taking a bloated gov, and with no period of violent revolution, making “reforms” to make it smaller AGAIN (small enough to meet this article’s criteria of what the author considers “minarchy”), I’m not as sure.

]]> By: The Homestead Commences… http://www.homelandstupidity.us/2006/07/08/an-introduction-to-minarchism/#comment-21011 The Homestead Commences… Thu, 21 Jul 2011 01:58:58 +0000 http://www.homelandstupidity.us/2006/07/08/an-introduction-to-minarchism/#comment-21011 [...] for allowing us to live our lives as productively as possible. Your standard Libertarian wants government to be limited, I want it to be removed from the picture [...] [...] for allowing us to live our lives as productively as possible. Your standard Libertarian wants government to be limited, I want it to be removed from the picture [...]

]]> By: RJ Miller http://www.homelandstupidity.us/2006/07/08/an-introduction-to-minarchism/#comment-20886 RJ Miller Wed, 11 May 2011 22:23:20 +0000 http://www.homelandstupidity.us/2006/07/08/an-introduction-to-minarchism/#comment-20886 Nicely done! This sums up the meaning of Minarchism quite nicely, and I am especially glad you mentioned Robert Nozick's formulation of it as well. Have yet to get his book though - perhaps I should just get the new edition coming out in September of next year. Nicely done! This sums up the meaning of Minarchism quite nicely, and I am especially glad you mentioned Robert Nozick’s formulation of it as well.

Have yet to get his book though – perhaps I should just get the new edition coming out in September of next year.

]]> By: Bonnie Kristian http://www.homelandstupidity.us/2006/07/08/an-introduction-to-minarchism/#comment-10179 Bonnie Kristian Thu, 06 Jan 2011 22:05:03 +0000 http://www.homelandstupidity.us/2006/07/08/an-introduction-to-minarchism/#comment-10179 [...] Taxes are theft: Again, can I go with yes and no?  Taxes are theft now (because they’re involuntary, and violence is done to you for not paying though you’ve committed no real crime), but they don’t have to be.  The nightwatchman state could easily exist without forceful taxation. [...] [...] Taxes are theft: Again, can I go with yes and no?  Taxes are theft now (because they’re involuntary, and violence is done to you for not paying though you’ve committed no real crime), but they don’t have to be.  The nightwatchman state could easily exist without forceful taxation. [...]

]]> By: Tom Pain http://www.homelandstupidity.us/2006/07/08/an-introduction-to-minarchism/#comment-10178 Tom Pain Tue, 28 Dec 2010 17:13:31 +0000 http://www.homelandstupidity.us/2006/07/08/an-introduction-to-minarchism/#comment-10178 Why don't people read there history. That is what this country was founded on. corporation tax and tariffs. Corporation tax comes from profit (i.e. usually money made from investments) and tariffs on imports, BECAUSE ITS BETTER TO BUY AMERICAN. Why don’t people read there history. That is what this country was founded on.
corporation tax and tariffs. Corporation tax comes from profit (i.e. usually money made from investments) and tariffs on imports, BECAUSE ITS BETTER TO BUY AMERICAN.

]]> By: Rejoinder to Jesse’s view of the Austrian School http://www.homelandstupidity.us/2006/07/08/an-introduction-to-minarchism/#comment-10177 Rejoinder to Jesse’s view of the Austrian School Tue, 13 Jul 2010 19:14:54 +0000 http://www.homelandstupidity.us/2006/07/08/an-introduction-to-minarchism/#comment-10177 [...] debate within the Austrian school centers mostly on whether a complete capitalist anarchy or a minarchy with government playing an extremely small role in society should be  supported (see also Jan [...] [...] debate within the Austrian school centers mostly on whether a complete capitalist anarchy or a minarchy with government playing an extremely small role in society should be  supported (see also Jan [...]

]]> By: The Many Faces of Libertarianism « Redheaded Politics http://www.homelandstupidity.us/2006/07/08/an-introduction-to-minarchism/#comment-10176 The Many Faces of Libertarianism « Redheaded Politics Tue, 11 May 2010 19:37:49 +0000 http://www.homelandstupidity.us/2006/07/08/an-introduction-to-minarchism/#comment-10176 [...] second highest score was 75 percent “minarchist.” Curious as to what the term meant, I decided to do a little [...] [...] second highest score was 75 percent “minarchist.” Curious as to what the term meant, I decided to do a little [...]

]]> By: Mat http://www.homelandstupidity.us/2006/07/08/an-introduction-to-minarchism/#comment-10174 Mat Mon, 16 Nov 2009 02:21:12 +0000 http://www.homelandstupidity.us/2006/07/08/an-introduction-to-minarchism/#comment-10174 I think it would be nice to revisit the U.S. Constitution and see where we deviated from a Night Watchman Government. Like we could take out taxes and replace taxes for donations, and that government must market itself. We could create the government into an "arms business" as well, selling firearms, weapontry, items of defense and security in order to increase government revenue. These are ways a Minarchist can survive without stealing from the people. In terms of a welfare state (to help those in need, below the economic ladder), I feel that non-governmental charities, are doing a good job. Since government in the U.S. has taken the role of helping people, we have lost that "human touch." Leave charity to the people and not to paid government workers who just in it for the pay. In terms of government interference into the free market, we should ensure that the market itself is free and FAIR. Fair, meaning that if a company like a utility company becomes a monopoly where its the only company in the land, then there will be no control over high prices. With monopolies, the government will enforce that within a certain time, the company would have to dissolved into two separate companies, distinct from each other - that would ensure competition and a fair market. Laws pertaining to basic human rights as well as economic rights to natural resources, are also impotant for the soveriegn nation. In sum: The only intervention of government would be a small and effective military to protect the nation (for the sole purpose of defense), a Supreme Court to ensure the basic human rights of life are protected, such rights as are mentioned in the U.N. charter, and a Law-Enforcement Agency (definitely not for victimless crimes), but crimes cauing HARM to others - and a speciel division within the agency for ensuring the market of "big businesses" is controlled and doesn't abuse the rest of the market, and depletes competition. At the same time, government in interfering with the market, should be careful not to destroy incentive to excel with certian anti-trust laws. I think it would be nice to revisit the U.S. Constitution and see where we deviated from a Night Watchman Government. Like we could take out taxes and replace taxes for donations, and that government must market itself. We could create the government into an “arms business” as well, selling firearms, weapontry, items of defense and security in order to increase government revenue. These are ways a Minarchist can survive without stealing from the people. In terms of a welfare state (to help those in need, below the economic ladder), I feel that non-governmental charities, are doing a good job. Since government in the U.S. has taken the role of helping people, we have lost that “human touch.” Leave charity to the people and not to paid government workers who just in it for the pay. In terms of government interference into the free market, we should ensure that the market itself is free and FAIR. Fair, meaning that if a company like a utility company becomes a monopoly where its the only company in the land, then there will be no control over high prices. With monopolies, the government will enforce that within a certain time, the company would have to dissolved into two separate companies, distinct from each other – that would ensure competition and a fair market. Laws pertaining to basic human rights as well as economic rights to natural resources, are also impotant for the soveriegn nation.

In sum: The only intervention of government would be a small and effective military to protect the nation (for the sole purpose of defense), a Supreme Court to ensure the basic human rights of life are protected, such rights as are mentioned in the U.N. charter, and a Law-Enforcement Agency (definitely not for victimless crimes), but crimes cauing HARM to others – and a speciel division within the agency for ensuring the market of “big businesses” is controlled and doesn’t abuse the rest of the market, and depletes competition. At the same time, government in interfering with the market, should be careful not to destroy incentive to excel with certian anti-trust laws.

]]> By: Frank http://www.homelandstupidity.us/2006/07/08/an-introduction-to-minarchism/#comment-10173 Frank Fri, 23 Nov 2007 18:17:40 +0000 http://www.homelandstupidity.us/2006/07/08/an-introduction-to-minarchism/#comment-10173 I don't see any need to transfer citizens' rights to self protection entirely to the government nor is it inconsistent with the minarchist form of society to retain those rights. In fact, to surrender such power would present a threat to the very form itself. I don’t see any need to transfer citizens’ rights to self protection entirely to the government nor is it inconsistent with the minarchist form of society to retain those rights. In fact, to surrender such power would present a threat to the very form itself.

]]> By: J. Bruno http://www.homelandstupidity.us/2006/07/08/an-introduction-to-minarchism/#comment-10172 J. Bruno Sat, 08 Jul 2006 23:25:26 +0000 http://www.homelandstupidity.us/2006/07/08/an-introduction-to-minarchism/#comment-10172 The only thing that would not be optional is the transfer of your right to physical force to the government, which would act as agent of physical force on your behalf (just as it does now). So if you didn't pay the sales tax or enforcement fees for your transaction, you would not be able to take out the shotgun and "enforce" it yourself, should the terms be breached. This is how I've always imagined a libertarian society would function. The only thing that would not be optional is the transfer of your right to physical force to the government, which would act as agent of physical force on your behalf (just as it does now). So if you didn’t pay the sales tax or enforcement fees for your transaction, you would not be able to take out the shotgun and “enforce” it yourself, should the terms be breached.

This is how I’ve always imagined a libertarian society would function.

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