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Notable Quote

"The coercive, exploitative means is contrary to natural law; it is parasitic, for instead of adding to production, it subtracts from it."

— Rothbard, Murray event 1974

From Anatomy of the State

Context: From Anatomy of the State (1974). Drawing on Franz Oppenheimer's distinction between the 'economic means' (production and exchange) and the 'political means' (seizure by force), Rothbard argues that the latter — the method the State relies on — can only live off wealth already produced by others, never create any of its own.

Topics

policy Theory of the State error Coercion security State Power