Murray Rothbard pointed out that Randolph Bourne's "immortal last words" were on country vs. state:
"Country is a concept of peace, of tolerance, of living and letting live. But State is essentially a concept of power... it signifies a group in its aggressive aspects….
"The history of America as a country is quite different from that of America as a State. In one case it is the drama of the pioneering conquest of the land, of the growth of wealth, and the carrying out of spiritual ideals…. But as a State, its history is that of playing a part in the world, making war, obstructing international trade… punishing those citizens who society agrees are offensive, and collecting money to pay for all…"
