Man and the State

Abstract

Among us there are some who are able to imagine a viable society without a state. These libertarian anarchists, or anarchocapitalists, have made major contributions in demonstrating how many of the modern state’s activities might be better carried out through the spontaneous processes of the market. And these arguments are exerting an effect now in the cross-national movements toward privatization. I do not want to underestimate the importance of the challenge that the libertarian anarchists have posed for all of us who defend state action.

J. Buchanan is the winner of the 1986 Nobel Prize in economics. This chapter is based on his presidential address given at the Mont Pelerin Society meeting in St. Vincent, Italy, 1986.