The Anatomy of the State

I appreciated how direct and well-structured this book is. It encourages readers to question established ideas and examine the role of the state from a different angle. Very engaging, easy to read, and offers a unique perspective on the relationship between individuals and the state.Definitely a worthwhile read, regardless of your political views. Will definitely recommend!

“In the present more secular age, the divine right of the State has been supplemented by the invocation of a new god, Science. State rule is now proclaimed as being ultrascientific, as constituting planning by experts.’’ Rothbard writing in 1974. He just . . . nailed it! “ But while “reason” is invoked more than in previous centuries, this is not the true reason of the individual and his exercise of free will; it is still collectivist and determinist, still implying holistic aggregates and coercive manipulation of passive subjects by their rulers.’’ I find this insightful. The use of ‘reason’ has changed into ‘trust us’. “The increasing use of scientific jargon has permitted the State’s intellectuals to weave obscurantist apologia for State rule that would have only met with derision by the populace of a simpler age. A robber who justified his theft by saying that he really helped his victims, by his spending giving a boost to retail trade, would find few converts; but when this theory is clothed in Keynesian equations and impressive references to the “multiplier effect,” it unfortunately carries more conviction. And so the assault on common sense proceeds, each age performing the task in its own ways.’’ Rothbard is just so much fun! I’m reminded of the story in book of Acts . . . “On a set day, Herod clothed himself with royal raiment and sat down on the judgment seat and began giving them a public address. Then the people who were assembled began shouting: “A god’s voice, and not a man’s!” Instantly the angel of Jehovah struck him, because he did not give the glory to God, and he was eaten up with worms and died.’’ Now, this only occasion where angel acts against ruler directly. Maybe, at this beginning of Christianity, the lesson that political rulers are not gods, not to be worshipped, prepared Christians for the conflict with the Roman Empire. Rothbard explains something I’ve wondered . . . “The majority must be persuaded by ideology that their government is good, wise and, at least, inevitable, and certainly better than other conceivable alternatives. Promoting this ideology among the people is the vital social task of the “intellectuals.” For the masses of men do not create their own ideas, or indeed think through these ideas independently; they follow passively the ideas adopted and disseminated by the body of intellectuals. The intellectuals are, therefore, the “opinion-molders” in society. And since it is precisely a molding of opinion that the State most desperately needs, the basis for age-old alliance between the State and the intellectuals becomes clear.’’ This alliance of intellectuals and politics makes sense for this reason. Obvious. Now. However . . . “It is evident that the State needs the intellectuals; it is not so evident why intellectuals need the State.’’ Right. “Put simply, we may state that the intellectual’s livelihood in the free market is never too secure; for the intellectual must depend on the values and choices of the masses of his fellow men, and it is precisely characteristic of the masses that they are generally uninterested in intellectual matters.’’ More and more this happening. Well . . . “The State, on the other hand, is willing to offer the intellectuals a secure and permanent berth in the State apparatus; and thus a secure income and the panoply of prestige. For the intellectuals will be handsomely rewarded for the important function they perform for the State rulers, of which group they now become a part.’’ Intellectuals become rulers! He provides famous historical example . . . “The alliance between the State and the intellectuals was symbolized in the eager desire of professors at the University of Berlin in the nineteenth century to form the ‘intellectual bodyguard of the House of Hohenzollern.’” Worth remembering how this ‘alliance’ resulted in the German disasters of the twentieth century. Contents What the State Is Not What the State Is How the State Preserves Itself How the State Transcends Its Limits What the State Fears How States Relate to One Another History as a Race Between State Power and Social Power On dissent . . . “The greatest danger to the State is independent intellectual criticism; there is no better way to stifle that criticism than to attack any isolated voice, any raiser of new doubts, as a profane violator of the wisdom of his ancestors. Another potent ideological force is to deprecate the individual and exalt the collectivity of society. For since any given rule implies majority acceptance, any ideological danger to that rule can only start from one or a few independently-thinking individuals.’’ Think of the Christian persecution by the Romans. “The new idea, much less the new critical idea, must needs begin as a small minority opinion; therefore, the State must nip the view in the bud by ridiculing any view that defies the opinions of the mass. “Listen only to your brothers” or “adjust to society” thus become ideological weapons for crushing individual dissent. By such measures, the masses will never learn of the nonexistence of their Emperor’s clothes.It is also important for the State to make its rule seem inevitable.’’ These slices provide example of Rothbard’s style. Clear, trenchant, incisive and persuasive. For some. Others . . . This short work of 54 pages explains much. Undoubtedly can produce various reactions - joy/anger, relief/frustration, insight/rejection. Forty-four notes (linked) Excellent references! Index (not linked)

This is not a book on the organizations of government and who does what. It is a concise and cutting analysis of State power, and the governed that watch it grow more massive with each passing day. Rothbard begins quickly and builds on his premise that the State gains at the expense of the individual. He finds excellent examples to make a fine point. Here are two of my favorites: 1. "Since most men tend to love their homeland, the identification of that land and its people with the State was a means of making natural patriotism work to the State's advantage." Consider how you might think about citizens of a country based on it's head of state. When the government identifies a "regime" that is opposed to it's well-being, we - the collective people - typically show our patriotism by supporting our government and policies that must be implemented to protect us. 2. "We may test the hypothesis that the State is largely interested in protecting itself rather than its subjects by asking: which category of crimes does the State pursue and punish most intensely - those against private citizens or those against itself?" This got right to the point: the government looks out for itself, just like you look out for you and your family and property. The difference between the two is that the government has the ability to punish and expand its resources as it feels necessary. You, as an individual, do not. To sum up: if you are reading this, chances are you are looking to know more about political history and power, economics, or libertarian viewpoints in general. For any of these purposes, I think you would be wise to consider this 60 page book. It is a fast, intelligent read that will likely help you critically analyze other policies and political ideologies from the standpoint of the State vs. the people. This book is an overview and highlights the big picture; no background in economics or political science is necessary.

Murray Rothbard is considered by many of his devout followers the father of Libertarianism. This short read (only about 55 pages) dissects the role of the state and its intended purpose in the eyes of the author. As someone who has been both influenced and intrigued by the Libertarian ideology, I felt this was certainly a book I had to read. Most people outside of Libertarian circles would find this book quite extreme and I can understand why. However, from a 40,000 ft view and looking at history as a credible example, it is quite shocking to see how many people have been killed and exterminated through forced state actions such as war, domestic police and military brutality, as well as seizure of economic resources at the hands of the state. I am still finding my way when it comes to what the role of the state should be if any. I do find either extremes of total state control or no state control very worrying though.

Must read

Anatomy of the State offers an extremely cynical view the State, portraying it not as the people’s servant but as an institution that preserves itself through force, taxation, ideology, fear, and control. It is very honest and rings true as it questions its real purpose as it exists today. This perspective leans closely toward my inclination for Critical Legal Studies, which posits that law is ever truly neutral or above politics in reality.

This is one of the most important pieces of literature you should read. Read Bastiat's "That Which is Seen, That Which is Unseen", "The Law", and then read Murray Rothbard's "Anatomy of the State." This is a relatively short essay. It takes no more than an hour to read at most. It has tons of notes and references at the end of every chapter as well. The only negative thing I have to say is related to the e-book product. The margins for the pages are very narrow and it makes the text smaller than it otherwise would be. This can be a strain on the eyes. I would try a sample first to make sure you are okay with the format of the book. The book itself is fantastic though, highly recommended!

You think your president really, truly represents you and has your best interests in mind? You think that by voting you make a difference? You think that the government should take care of the economy, health care, and every possible aspect of your life? If so, think again or you will be in for a big surprise if you haven't realized it as of now. If you already had intuitions about the parasitic, and fundamentally flawed nature of government but still couldn't grasp it in its horrific totality then this is the book you need to read. Murray Rothbard came to me, or I came to him after years of admiring and following Ron Paul's speeches and ideas. After reading anatomy of the state and other works from Rothbard, now I see where many of Ron Paul's ideas originate. They come from Rothbard, and Rothbard's ideas, at the same time, originate in Mises' interpretation of life in the world throughout the lens of Austrian Economics and individualism. If you identify yourself with Ron Paul, libertarianism, individualism and classical liberalism, then this is a book you need to read to know what we, as a civilization, are currently facing in the form of tyrannical governments, corrupt politicians and despotic ruling elites. Rothbard deconstructs many of those vague ideas and uncertain images we have about how things are and how things should be, to provide us with, instead, a very clear target of what's wrong in this world and how we can respond to those who threaten our freedom to think, do, and be. I highly recommend this book. But be warned, if you decide to go ahead and read it, your views on humanity and your own perspective of reality will be forever changed and there will be no coming back. And that, in this case, will always be good news, as keeping things the way we are will doom us all eventually,

Exhibe una ideología neoclásica ramplona verdaderamente decepcionante. Un librito de tres páginas completamente inútil. Tirar el dinero.

I knew what was coming when I ordered this. I knew Rothbard was a radical libertarian, so it was no surprise to me that this book is full of craziness.

Foi através deste livro que eu iniciei meus estudos em filosofia libertária. Originalmente eu li a tradução do Instituto Mises Brasil, que é bem criticável, mas até que dá pra passar com boa vontade. Em seguida eu li o original em eBook. Comprei esta edição impressa por razões afetivas com o livro. Quando me pedem indicação de um livro de introdução à filosofia libertária, eu tenho uma lista de meia dúzia, e este é um deles, depende do leitor em questão. Este livro aqui é um manifesto e é bem curto, então não espere ver uma argumentação desenvolvida nos detalhes com ampla exemplificação. O tom é de manifesto mesmo. Ainda assim, a escrita de Rothbard é ótima, e os argumentos são contundentes o suficiente para te deixar com fome de ler mais sobre libertarianismo. Para apreciar Rothbard em toda a sua glória e esplendor, recomento Ethics of Liberty, What Has Government Done to Our Money, Education: free and compulsory, e Man, Economy & State.

Rothbard in questo breve testo definisce lo stato come quella entità che ha il controllo di un territorio mediante il monopolio della violenza. Il concetto è applicable a tutte le forme di stato che conosciamo dalla storio e fino al presente. Tutte i raggionamenti che ne derivano hanno senso logico, è potrebbero risonare con le esperience avute dal lettore. L'unico stato morale dal punto di vista di Rothbard sarebbe quello in cui i singoli individui avvesero il diritto al veto sulle leggi, altrimenti la tirania, prima o poi, è garantita. Versione inglese. Consigliattisimo!

Put it next to you bed and read it like a bad time story. Must read for everyone