implicit consent

Bonner on Government

by on December 14, 2011 @ 9:12 pm · 0 comments

in Anti-Statism, Democracy

Bill Bonner is absolutely one of the best essayists of our time. Never heard of him? He is the head of Agora Inc., and an impressive entrepreneur in every way. Check this essay and see what you think: The Diabolical Genius that Is Modern Government:

You’ll recall that this series began by pointing out how worthless most “theories of government” really are. They’re not theories at all. They don’t explain anything. Instead, they are just wishful thinking…flattery…and apologia for the elite who use government for their own ends.

The “social contract,” for example, is a fraud. You can’t have a contract unless you have two willing and able parties. They must come together in a meeting of the minds — a real agreement about what they are going to do together.

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Allegory for the Idea of Tacit Consent in the Social Contract

by on January 22, 2011 @ 3:36 pm · 3 comments

in Humor, Libertarian Theory, Pop Culture, Statism

HT Timothy Sandefur

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If you don’t like it, leave — for a price

by on May 28, 2010 @ 12:29 pm · 21 comments

in Immigration, Libertarian Theory, Taxation, The Basics

A common retort that libertarians, even minarchists, hear when criticizing ‘their’ government is “If you don’t like it, then just leave.” Indeed, residency is perceived to be one piece of evidence (among others, like voting, paying taxes, etc.) for one’s implicit consent to the state and its rules. Just leave. As if there are better alternatives. Or, as if ‘their’ country being the least bad option somehow justifies its government. Just leave. They make it sound so simple, don’t they? If only it were. Unfortunately, states are not so keen on letting their slaves get away so easily, free and clear.

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