Busting myths about the state and the libertarian alternative Zack Rofer

Description

In non-technical terms, the libertarian is simply someone who is against the use of force against peaceful people in civil society. You would think that this would be a universally accepted idea, but to believe in government as we know it is to be at odds with this idea. There are many popular myths that are used to try to justify the existence of the state, and also many popular myths about libertarianism and the free market. This book explodes both sets of myths, and is both a primer for those taking a first look at these topics, as well as a tool for libertarians looking to sharpen their advocacy.;I. The statist's view -- People -- Economics -- II. Myths about the nature of the state -- Myth #1 : The state is good and does good -- Myth #2 : The state acts by consent -- Myth #3 : The state acts for the "common good" -- Myth #4 : The state and its personnel deserve our support -- Myth #5 : Democracy is good, better, best -- Myth #6 : The state dispenses criminal justice -- III. The free market -- What is the "free market"? -- Economics 101 -- Austrian economics -- Myth #7 : The free market creates an inequality problem -- Myth #8 : The free market exploits workers -- IV. Myths justifying the need for the state -- Acquiescence to the state -- Myth #9 : The state is an improvement on the free market -- Myth #10 : We need the state to provide "public goods" -- Myth #11 : We need the state to deal with negative externalities -- Myth #12 : We need the state to deal with anti-competitive behavior -- Myth #13 : The "Hobbesian fear" -- V. Busting the myths about libertarianism -- What is libertarianism? -- Myth #14 : Libertarians are utopian! -- Myth #15 : It's every man for himself! -- Myth #16 : Libertarianism = chaos! -- Myth #17 : We'd be defenseless! -- Myth #18 : There goes the environment! -- Myth #19 : Somalia disproves the case for libertarianism! -- Myth #20 : Libertarians are shills for the powerful! -- Myth #21 : Libertarians don't care about the poor! -- Myth #22 : Libertarians are pro-prostitution and pro-narcotics! -- Myth #23 : If it's so good, then why hasn't it ever been tried? -- Myth #24 : Libertarianism is a futile endeavor! -- VI. Why does it matter? -- Minimizing conflict within society -- Opposing war -- Governing by principle, not arbitrarily -- VII. Conclusion -- Afterword : A personal perspective -- Reading guide.