2

How would a state's army be paid in libertarian state?

Would there be at least some taxes to pay for this?

Improve this question
5
  • Depends on the exact strain of libertarianism – user4012 Feb 1 '14 at 11:51
  • More specifically: minarchists? anacho-libertarians? etc... – user4012 Feb 1 '14 at 12:34
  • @DVK well, I'd like to know about every type :3 – Danil Gholtsman Feb 1 '14 at 13:29
  • The answer varies significantly between them. – user4012 Feb 2 '14 at 13:44
  • @DVK anarcho-libertarian – Danil Gholtsman Feb 2 '14 at 15:41
6

In anarcho-capitalism there is no state, so... there is no state's army. There are private security agencies. They protect people, organisations and regions, who pay them. So imagine hostile army comes. Security agency sends them a list of protected people, regions etc. and tell "if you attack any of them we will fight. Otherwise we will leave you alone".

Of course protecting each single person might be ineffective. So it also might work differently - people create an organisation, which will pay for protecting their city or region. City (region, country, district) might have also an owner. He might let people live there if they obey his law. This law would include taxes and the owner would pay with them for protection.

In libertarian states the army (or security agency) would be paid with taxes (if we accept taxes for some purposes) or voluntary fee (if not). Ayn Rand would also accept public lottery as a source of money for state ;)

Improve this answer
7
  • 3
    "City (region, country, district) might have also an owner. He might let people live there if they obey his law. This law would include taxes and the owner would pay with them for protection." - this is feudalism/monarchy – Anixx Feb 2 '14 at 23:33
  • 2
    @Anixx - Nope. feudalism/monarchy isn't VOLUNTARY. This is 100% the same as the CEO of the company you work for hiring a security firm to protect the building you work in. – user4012 Feb 3 '14 at 3:10
  • 1
    Unrelatedly, it's not a bad answer, but could be significantly improved with references. – user4012 Feb 3 '14 at 3:11
  • Well, I guess I'll accept it then – Danil Gholtsman Feb 3 '14 at 6:42
  • @DVK actually this pretty much mirrors the definition of State itself... – o0'. Feb 10 '14 at 21:00

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .