Quote of the Day
Is the Hobbesian fear truly rooted in reality? If not, what happens to politics when we allow fear, not cooperation, to become foundational to our framework? Robert Nozick asked these same questions in Anarchy, State, and Utopia. These lucidly written pages extend these arguments even further—with some surprising conclusions.
Aeon J. Skoble—professor of philosophy, bestselling author, and acclaimed political theorist—makes a powerful case that the state as we understand it today is not only morally unjustifiable, but also, thankfully, unnecessary. It has only the power we mistakenly grant it. What if we didn’t?
Packed with urgent lessons, original insights, and unparalleled philosophical rigor, this book is essential reading for anyone who dares imagine a freer world.
Independent Institute
January 26, 2026
Deleting the State: Requiem for an Illusion – eBook, Paperback
I am extremely skeptical. I am of the strong opinion that governments are a necessary evil to protect the rights of the individual. Yes, when they go rogue they can be the greatest infringer of rights. But on the whole, with a well armed populus, they can be a net benefit to humanity.
That said, if the book were available in audible form, I would purchase it just to see what the author has to say.
Minimalist government can work great with high-0trust, high-IQ, homogenous societies.
Can’t worth with diverse, low-trust, diverse societies.
Sadly, large government can’t work with the later type of population, either.
Guess where the left wants us to go?
Depends on how you define “work”. Large government works quite well for the people in power, after all.
“I am extremely skeptical. I am of the strong opinion that governments are a necessary evil to protect the rights of the individual.”
Making a government you can manage to put up with is important, not for any “protecting rights” stuff (though of course, that would be much, much preferred!) but to keep some OTHER government from forming organically.
And by “organically”, pretty much what is meant is a “strong man” dictator, which is what will generally come fill the void.
“No government” in the modern sense of government can exist… but functionally, it disappears almost instantly, replaced by “war lords” and other desultory terms for dictator.
I see the protection from war lords/dictatorship as protecting the rights of the individual.
“Please don’t be offended if I appear skeptical.”
Perhaps the ongoing historical churn of government forms is a dynamic search for something that may not be possible.