As defined by Rothbard, a state is an organization which possesses either or both (in actual fact, almost always both) of the following characteristics: (a) it acquires its revenue by physical coercion (taxation); and (b) it achieves a compulsory monopoly of force and of ultimate decision-making power over a given territorial area. Both of these essential activities of the State necessarily constitute criminal aggression and depredation of the just rights of private property of its subjects (including self-ownership). For the first constitutes and establishes theft on a grand scale; while the second prohibits the free competition of defense and decision-making agencies within a given territorial area — prohibiting the voluntary purchase and sale of defense and judicial services (p. 172–73). Without justice, Rothbard concluded as St. Augustine had before him, the state was nothing but a band of robbers. --- Hans Herman Hoppe, quoting Murray Rothbard
Posted on: Thu, 08 Jan 2015 18:49:30 +0000
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