—–Original Message—–
From: MO
Sent: Sun 10/9/2016 12:33 PM
To: Walter Block
Subject: Randian Government and Anarcho-capitalism

Hi Walter, It was good to see you again at the BCLP Convention. This is further to my question regarding the supposed contradiction between Rand’s concept of government and the anarcho-capitalist position. The essence of my argument is that Rand opposed compulsory taxation and favored voluntary funding of government. So that the critique of Rand’s position, that she supports taxation, is simply wrong. As to the second point, about preventing competitors, my argument basically is that it is a question of semantics. The accusation that Rand’s model violates the NAP is only so because critics have so defined government. But I look forward to any relevant material on this. Best regards, MO

Dear MO: In my view, Rand is hopelessly confused on this point. Yes, I agree with you: she explicitly disavows taxation. But that is not good enough, not by a long shot. For, how will she raise money to support what she considers legitimate government functions? Answer: lotteries, and purchasing tickets from her statist institution to cover disputes over contracts, etc. However, there are private lotteries. Having government compete with the private sector in an industry of this sort is tantamount to (economic) fascism. Second, what is her attitude toward “competing governments” or private defense agencies that also would offer tickets to cover disputes over contracts in competition with her government? She would ban them! She would initiate force against them. Why? This is because a government, in her view, must have a MONOPOLY over the use of violence in a given geographical area. This is a clear violation of the core principle of libertarianism, the non-aggression principle. Best regards, Walter

You should read this, to get rid of any vestige of Randianism: Rothbard, Murray N. 1987. “The Sociology of the Ayn Rand Cult.” Port Townsend, WA: Liberty Publishing; https://archive.lewrockwell.com/rothbard/rothbard23.html

Here are my publications on Rand and the Randians:

Block, Walter E. 2002. “The Libertarian Minimal State?” A critique of the views of Nozick, Levin and Rand, Journal of Ayn Rand Studies, Vol. 4, No. 1, pp. 141-160; reprinted in Younkins, Ed, ed., 2004. Philosophers of Capitalism: Menger, Mises, Rand and Beyond; http://www.walterblock.com/publications/minimal_state.pdf

Block, Walter E. 2003. “Libertarianism vs. Objectivism; A Response to Peter Schwartz,” Reason Papers, Vol. 26, Summer, pp. 39-62; http://www.reasonpapers.com/pdf/26/rp_26_4.pdf Nambla, child sexuality, child abuse

Block, Walter E. 2005. “Ayn Rand and Austrian Economics: Two Peas in a Pod.” The Journal of Ayn Rand Studies. Vol. 6, No. 2, Spring, pp. 259-269

Block, Walter E. 2007. “The Non Fictional Robert Stadlers: Traitors to Liberty.” Ayn Rand’s “Atlas Shrugged”: A Philosophical and Literary Companion. Edward W. Younkins, editor. Hampshire, England: Ashgate.

Block, Walter E. 2008. “Religion and Libertarianism: Ayn Rand was wrong.” June 18;
https://archive.lewrockwell.com/block/block103.html

Block, Walter E. 2010. “Is Libertarianism a Part of the Right or the Left? Neither. We Are Unique” April 13; https://archive.lewrockwell.com/block/block156.html

Block, Walter E. 2011. Ayn Rand, Religion and Libertarianism, Journal of Ayn Rand Studies Vol., 11, No. 1, Issue 21, July, pp. 63-79.

Block, Walter E. 2014. “Justifying a Stateless Legal Order: a critique of Rand and Epstein.” Journal of Private Enterprise; 29(2) Spring: 21-49; http://journal.apee.org/index.php/Category:Spring_2014; http://journal.apee.org/index.php?title=2014.Spring.JPE_part2.pdf

The Best of Walter E. Block