'But,' it will be asked of the Anarchists at this point in the argument, 'what shall be done with those individuals who undoubtedly will persist in violating the social law by invading their neighbors?' The Anarchists answer that the abolition of the State will leave in existence a defensive association, resting no longer on a compulsory but on a voluntary basis, which will restrain invaders by any means that may prove necessary.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Tucker addresses concerns about invaders by proposing a voluntary defensive association instead of a compulsory state to restrain them.
- In plain terms
- Use voluntary groups not the state to stop invaders.
- What can you take from it?
- Replace state enforcement with voluntary defense associations.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Can voluntary groups enforce laws effectively?
- Is state force necessary for safety?
Another view
Voluntary associations may lack resources to stop determined invaders.
More from Benjamin Tucker
The exercise of authority over the same area by two States is a contradiction.
Permalink to quote #20 Why, the very first act of the State, the compulsory assessment and collection of taxes, is itself an aggression, a violation of equal liberty, and, as such, i…
Permalink to quote #22 What relations should exist between the State and the Individual? The general method of determining these is to apply some theory of ethics involving a basis o…
Permalink to quote #19
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