Objectivist Criticisms of Anarcho-Capitalism

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Dennis Hackethal’s avatar
Dennis HackethalOP, 10 months ago·#903·· Collapse

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.?"

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Dennis Hackethal’s avatar
Dennis HackethalOP, 10 months ago·#904·· Collapse

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.

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Dennis Hackethal’s avatar
Dennis HackethalOP, 10 months ago·#905·· Collapse

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?

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