Do we need a state? Can a society have peace, prosperity, law & order, etc without a centralized sovereign entity doling these things out? While most people shrink from such a conclusion, economist and theorist Bob Murphy says we can! In this episode Adam Haman asks Bob to justify his crazy opinions! (Spoiler alert: Bob is right)
00:00 — Intro. See? I told you we aren't just a clip show!
01:35 — Minarchism vs Anarchism! Ring the bell! Let's get ready to rumble!
03:47 — Adam reads a comment/criticism of anarchism Bob's video received on YouTube. "Fair or Unfair?!" Look around the globe. Which system is failing, minarchy or anarchy?
08:28 — Wouldn't gangs take over if we didn't have government prisons? How much does culture impact how well a particular political system will "work"?
19:06 — Why must law be "one-size-fits-all"? Why can't the public think our way out of that box? Will it take a few "Will and Grace" moments?
26:55 — A school analogy reveals that you get "more order" via a decentralized structure.
28:53 — Wouldn't the criminals gang up against us and create society-wide mayhem?
34:00 — Don't we need a state to ensure societal coordination in important ways? What about greedy obstructionists who would just screw things all up? Aren't roads the perfect example?
41:47 — In "Ancapistan", is it conceivable that prisons (at least somewhat similar to ours) would exist because of contractual agreements? Yes!
47:38 — How would the "path to redemption" for a convict be different in a stateless society? Harsher? More forgiving? Something completely different - and better?
56:35 — What about big security concerns? Is "Ancapistan" in danger of security companies amalgamating together to become a monopoly warlord?
1:07:43 — Crooks, thieves, and murderers are bad for society. Even worse is when such activities are done under the color of law. That's the danger of a monopoly government state.
1:14:56 — "Public goods" is a completely fraudulent concept. There, we said it. Also, don't think democracy can save us. It can't and Bob can prove it!
1:21:18 — Outro. Thanks for the comment, viewer, and thanks for watching Haman Nature!
Video mentioned: "How would private courts and military defense work?":
Website for The Carl Menger Institute for Market Economics:
Haman Nature episode mentioned -- Interview with Matt Geiger of the Menger Institute:
Haman Nature episode mentioned -- a critique of democracy and voting systems:
Book mentioned, Anarchy, State, and Utopia by Robert Nozick:
Adam on X: @Rerazer
Bob on X: @BobMurphyEcon
Adam's other podcast: Natural Order Podcast
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