Government
In order to elaborate on the essence of government, nothing more is needed than the explanations by the two economists Ludwig von Mises and Murray Rothbard. Regardless of how unpopular and unconventional, every single word of their definitions is true, and nothing viable has ever been raised in objection or refutation against them:
Ludwig von Mises:
“Government is in the last resort the employment of armed men, of policemen, gendarmes, soldiers, prison guards, and hangmen. The essential feature of government is the enforcement of its decrees by beating, killing, and imprisoning. Those who are asking for more government interference are asking ultimately for more compulsion and less freedom.” (Mises, Human Action, Chapter XXVII, Part 2)
Murray Rothbard:
“The State is a group of people who have managed to acquire a virtual monopoly of the use of violence throughout a given territorial area. In particular, it has acquired a monopoly of aggressive violence, for States generally recognize the right of individuals to use violence (though not against States, of course) in self-defense. The State then uses this monopoly to wield power over the inhabitants of the area and to enjoy the material fruits of that power. The State, then, is the only organization in society that regularly and openly obtains its monetary revenues by the use of aggressive violence; all other individuals and organizations (except if delegated that right by the State) can obtain wealth only by peaceful production and by voluntary exchange of their respective products. This use of violence to obtain its revenue (called “taxation“) is the keystone of State power. Upon this base the State erects a further structure of power over the individuals in its territory, regulating them, penalizing critics, subsidizing favorites, etc. The State also takes care to arrogate to itself the compulsory monopoly of various critical services needed by society, thus keeping the people in dependence upon the State for key services, keeping control of the vital command posts in society and also fostering among the public the myth that only the State can supply these goods and services. Thus the State is careful to monopolize police and judicial service, the ownership of roads and streets, the supply of money, and the postal service, and effectively to monopolize or control education, public utilities, transportation, and radio and television.” (Rothbard, War, Peace, and the State)
Related posts:
- No Government??
- Fun Facts About US Government Spending
- Government Constraints
- Is Government Needed to Fight Poverty??
- Murray Rothbard – One of the Greatest
- US Government on Solid Track to Implementing The Communist Manifesto’s 10 Point Program
- Government Equals Aggression – Nothing More, Nothing Less
- Government Growth in the United States
- Ethics, Human Nature, and Government – A Manifesto for Liberty
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