When the concepts of Anarchy are explained to a Statist, a common argument is “But without rules and a government to enforce them there would be chaos, mayhem, death, and destruction!” This argument is rooted in two beliefs; first if “government” were to vanish tomorrow we would all be stealing, assaulting, raping, and murdering each other and second that the fundamental core of human nature is evil and blood thirsty.
The first thing we must keep in mind is that “laws” do not EVER prevent anything! If that were true then drug prohibition laws would completely eliminate drug use, drunk-driving laws would completely eliminate drunk driving, rape laws would completely eliminate rape, infidelity laws would completely eliminate infidelity, murder laws would completely eliminate murder etc. Since we know this isn’t the case we must conclude the existence of “laws” to be wholly useless. In the case of substances, when something is banned it does not decrease its availability or use whatsoever; in fact it increases it. This is due to the undeniable fact that when human beings have a desire for something, regardless of what “laws” are in place they will obtain that thing by whatever means necessary. As a result such prohibition “laws” only bring about the creation of black markets that function to deliver the banned product to an eager clientele. Black markets inevitably bring about a spike in the prices of the banned product. This is due to the many risks, bribes, and covert transportation such an enterprising entrepreneur must make to ensure the treacherous delivery of said product to his customers. All this results in higher prices for the consumers who nevertheless are willing to bear the cost, for without them there would be no market.
The second thing is that erroneous notion that human nature is fundamentally evil and bloodthirsty. If this were true how is it that we are able to have peaceful relationships with friends, co-workers, acquaintances, and family? Since “laws” never prevent any wrongdoing how is it possible that we maintain these thoroughly anarchic relationships? Government did not approve or authorize them therefore they would theoretically be impossible.
Understand that the existence of “laws” do nothing but harm the truly moral people at the expense of the immoral. Gun laws only disarm the moral people whilst leaving them genuinely defenseless against the immoral thieves and crooks who don’t care about murder laws, let alone gun laws. Tyrants who seek to subjugate you with arbitrary “laws” deserve only your ire and fury. Disobedience to the whimsical dictates of tyrants is obedience to your own moral compass. You own your body! You are your own master!
The more laws and order are made prominent, the more thieves and robbers there will be.
Lao Tzu
Good people do not need laws to tell them to act responsibly, while bad people will find a way around the laws.
Plato
Just do good things
A practitioner of Eastern Healing arts with degrees in Acupuncture and Chinese medicinal herbs, I have always questioned the status quo, a path which led me to peaceful anarchism. Through my journey, I have worn many hats, that of a classical pianist, avid chess player, philosopher, comedian, and now father of two little anarchists. My wife brands me as a Cultural Critic, but I am simply following my thirst for knowledge and passion for writing.
Pingback: Voluntary Virtues Network – Man Made Law Is An Opinion Backed By A Gun