David Friedman's consequentialist case for anarcho-capitalism — arguing that private, competing legal and defense agencies would provide better outcomes than the state, without appealing to natural rights.
Consequentialist anarchism (vs. Rothbard's natural rights version): Friedman argues for the abolition of the state not because taxation is theft but because free markets in law and defense would produce better outcomes. Competing private courts and protection agencies: clients would choose between competing providers of legal services, producing efficient, voluntarily funded legal systems. The book is the most rigorous economic treatment of market anarchism and remains the canonical text for consequentialist libertarians.
Discussing
Ask anything about The Machinery of Freedom — their ideas, influences, contradictions, legacy.
Sign in to start a conversation.