In 1973 Murray Rothbard was offered his first "mainstream" book deal. You may be wondering why this is such an important fact. The reason lies in the, then recent, creation of a political party sworn to dismantle the 2-party goliath that had (and still has) a strangle hold on the freedoms of Americans and those of the war torn nations around the globe. The party was the Libertarian Party and these "mainstream" publishers wanted to spot light what is meant by "libertarianism"; Murray Rothbard was the man for the job. The book he wrote with ease would be called "For a New Liberty", an eye opening breakdown of how every sector of society can benefit from removal of state interference. Rothbard talks history by discussing the libertarianism that propelled American Revolution, he talks current affairs and practical application.
It is the practical application that brings us to our topic today. Police is a stateless society. How does it look? Does it work? Why would it be better? Well the good news is, we do not have to figure this out anew. In chapters 11 and 12 of "For a New Liberty" Rothbard skillfully provides answers for all of the above. He does it plainly, with a carefulness that allows even the most skeptical a chance to conceptualize the premise. It is important to note he does so after 10 chapters of laying out a society that removes all central power and privatizes "all streets and land areas" thus "[solving] many of the seemingly insoluble problems of private operation."
He speaks plainly to the fact that any person walking around Times Square does so in a state of "Anarchy" 99% of the time, with a trust that those around him simply look for peaceful interaction. He mentions the fact that without financial incentive to provide kind and courteous protection to clients the police of the state are more inclined to be abusive and bullying to demand compliance. The same type of incentive that would drive cooperatives, companies, and communities to provide, and voluntarily pay for, a force capable of providing such a service. He continues to talk about how the inability of the state to provide specific benefits for the funds extorted requires an attempt to enforce all laws equally (regardless how innocuous) thus naturally reducing efficiency; whereas a private entity, or person, could focus payment for service in areas that are most important for keeping the peace, being they best know the needs of their specific place of business, community, or residence.
It is a compelling read that I am surely doing no justice. Rothbard goes far deeper he as covers payment and affordability for the less fortunate, potential "anarchy", and neighborhood, or competing police company, conflicts. So please take the time to read a bit of it for yourself courtesy of the Mises Institute, or listen to the full read in the video below.
Click here to read an abridged version.
For the full chapter 11 and 12 audio version:
- "'Police brutality' is a well-known feature of the police system, and it is held in check only by remote complaints of the harassed citizenry. But if the private merchants' police should yield to the temptation of brutalizing the merchants' customers, those customers will quickly disappear and go elsewhere. Hence, the merchants' association will see to it that its police are courteous as well as plentiful. Such efficient and high-quality police protection would prevail throughout the land, throughout all the private streets and land areas."
-Murray Rothbard, For a New Liberty
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