Objectivist Criticisms of Anarcho-Capitalism

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Could conflict among "competing governments" be taken care of by treaties? Treaties?--enforced by whom? I once asked Ayn Rand about the feasibility of such treaties between sovereign "competing governments." She looked at me grimly and said, "You mean like at the U.N.?"

#903 · · Dennis HackethalOP, 7 months ago · context · CriticismCriticized2 criticim(s)

The part “enforced by whom?” is telling. There isn’t just ‘who’ but also ‘what’. For example, David Friedman refers to the discipline of constant dealings as an enforcement mechanism.

#904 · · Dennis HackethalOP, 7 months ago · Criticism of #903
#904 · expand

She looked at me grimly and said, "You mean like at the U.N.?"

Consider, instead, NATO – the ‘North Atlantic Treaty Organization’ – another supranational collaboration. It has been stable for decades and war amongst its members would be unthinkable.

Why does Rand choose a bad example that conveniently supports her case while ignoring a good one that doesn’t?

#905 · · Dennis HackethalOP, 7 months ago · Criticism of #903
#905 · expand
#903 · expand