Just so, when it comes to political philosophy and what the state should be doing, the issue shouldn’t be our substantive concerns, but rather what kinds of things we should be using threats and violence to compel those around us to do.
-Dan Moller (Governing Least)
Unfortunately, Moller is right. While it may sound to the Left reading this as quaintly “Libertarian” and then wish to dismiss it out of hand (yes, that means you, ProgressiveGrok), he is right in the Government is Force. While most of us voluntarily agree to its diktats, it alone has the legal means to use force in forcing compliance.
Prof. Don Boudreaux adds a bit more:
DBx: What state officials uniquely bring to the table is their ability to credibly threaten violence on those who do not do their bidding, and to issue, and even to carry out, such threats with the widespread acceptance of members of society. That is, what state officials bring to the table is their ability, willingness, and authority to routinely engage in a primitive form of animal interaction.
(H/T: Cafe Hayek)
