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“In the present more secular age, the divine right of the State has been supplemented by the invocation of a new god, Science. State rule is now proclaimed as being ultrascientific, as constituting planning by experts.’’
Rothbard writing in 1974. He just . . . nailed it!
“ But while “reason” is invoked more than in previous centuries, this is not the true reason of the individual and his exercise of free will; it is still collectivist and determinist, still implying holistic aggregates and coercive manipulation of passive subjects by their rulers.’’
I find this insightful. The use of ‘reason’ has changed into ‘trust us’.
“The increasing use of scientific jargon has permitted the State’s intellectuals to weave obscurantist apologia for State rule that would have only met with derision by the populace of a simpler age. A robber who justified his theft by saying that he really helped his victims, by his spending giving a boost to retail trade, would find few converts; but when this theory is clothed in Keynesian equations and impressive references to the “multiplier effect,” it unfortunately carries more conviction. And so the assault on common sense proceeds, each age performing the task in its own ways.’’
Rothbard is just so much fun!
I’m reminded of the story in book of Acts . . .
“On a set day, Herod clothed himself with royal raiment and sat down on the judgment seat and began giving them a public address. Then the people who were assembled began shouting: “A god’s voice, and not a man’s!” Instantly the angel of Jehovah struck him, because he did not give the glory to God, and he was eaten up with worms and died.’’
Now, this only occasion where angel acts against ruler directly. Maybe, at this beginning of Christianity, the lesson that political rulers are not gods, not to be worshipped, prepared Christians for the conflict with the Roman Empire.
Rothbard explains something I’ve wondered . . .
“The majority must be persuaded by ideology that their government is good, wise and, at least, inevitable, and certainly better than other conceivable alternatives. Promoting this ideology among the people is the vital social task of the “intellectuals.” For the masses of men do not create their own ideas, or indeed think through these ideas independently; they follow passively the ideas adopted and disseminated by the body of intellectuals. The intellectuals are, therefore, the “opinion-molders” in society. And since it is precisely a molding of opinion that the State most desperately needs, the basis for age-old alliance between the State and the intellectuals becomes clear.’’
This alliance of intellectuals and politics makes sense for this reason. Obvious. Now.
However . . .
“It is evident that the State needs the intellectuals; it is not so evident why intellectuals need the State.’’
Right.
“Put simply, we may state that the intellectual’s livelihood in the free market is never too secure; for the intellectual must depend on the values and choices of the masses of his fellow men, and it is precisely characteristic of the masses that they are generally uninterested in intellectual matters.’’
More and more this happening. Well . . .
“The State, on the other hand, is willing to offer the intellectuals a secure and permanent berth in the State apparatus; and thus a secure income and the panoply of prestige. For the intellectuals will be handsomely rewarded for the important function they perform for the State rulers, of which group they now become a part.’’
Intellectuals become rulers!
He provides famous historical example . . .
“The alliance between the State and the intellectuals was symbolized in the eager desire of professors at the University of Berlin in the nineteenth century to form the ‘intellectual bodyguard of the House of Hohenzollern.’”
Worth remembering how this ‘alliance’ resulted in the German disasters of the twentieth century.
Contents
What the State Is Not
What the State Is
How the State Preserves Itself
How the State Transcends Its Limits
What the State Fears
How States Relate to One Another
History as a Race Between State Power and Social Power
On dissent . . .
“The greatest danger to the State is independent intellectual criticism; there is no better way to stifle that criticism than to attack any isolated voice, any raiser of new doubts, as a profane violator of the wisdom of his ancestors. Another potent ideological force is to deprecate the individual and exalt the collectivity of society. For since any given rule implies majority acceptance, any ideological danger to that rule can only start from one or a few independently-thinking individuals.’’
Think of the Christian persecution by the Romans.
“The new idea, much less the new critical idea, must needs begin as a small minority opinion; therefore, the State must nip the view in the bud by ridiculing any view that defies the opinions of the mass. “Listen only to your brothers” or “adjust to society” thus become ideological weapons for crushing individual dissent. By such measures, the masses will never learn of the nonexistence of their Emperor’s clothes.It is also important for the State to make its rule seem inevitable.’’
These slices provide example of Rothbard’s style. Clear, trenchant, incisive and persuasive.
For some. Others . . .
This short work of 54 pages explains much.
Undoubtedly can produce various reactions - joy/anger, relief/frustration, insight/rejection.
Forty-four notes (linked)
Excellent references!
Index (not linked)
The Anatomy of the State (LvMI)
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Customers say
Customers find this book to be an essential read for freedom-loving humans, praising its concise and easy-to-read format. Moreover, the book provides a nice brief overview of what a state is and is replete with considered references, making it a super information-dense pamphlet. They appreciate its simplicity and clarity, with one customer noting it offers a great simplified view of the subject matter.
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126 customers mention content, 117 positive, 9 negative
Great book! Easy to understand the concepts and well backed up with plenty of references.Read more
...This was very short, to the point, and good read. I liked it for what it is. But if you're looking for a real piece of Rothbard work, this isn't it....Read more
...Great read! It's a private company within itself, and checks and balances are done within its company....Read more
This was a fantastic book....Read more
30 customers mention length, 25 positive, 5 negative
...Overall it is a short book and jam-packed with the basic arguments against the State.Read more
...Without question critical information from a giant. Small book, that can take hours to reread and ponder. I highly recommend this oneRead more
Short but succinct, gives the reader a good understanding of the state's real make-up.Read more
...This was very short, to the point, and good read. I liked it for what it is. But if you're looking for a real piece of Rothbard work, this isn't it....Read more
30 customers mention readability, 26 positive, 4 negative
A great analysis of the history of democracy. It's a quick read, but very academic work....Read more
Concise, easy to read, and vital in this time of police state America!Read more
Very quick read. Many good points made that clearly apply to governments from the past and present....Read more
Great quick read if you're simply curious about surface level political philosophy....Read more
22 customers mention conciseness, 17 positive, 5 negative
...It is a concise and cutting analysis of State power, and the governed that watch it grow more massive with each passing day....Read more
Short but succinct, gives the reader a good understanding of the state's real make-up.Read more
This book lays out what government really is. Really great read, and very concise (short). Recommend to everyone....Read more
...It is a complex read due to the subject matter and the wording chosen to describe such matter....Read more
20 customers mention basic overview, 17 positive, 3 negative
...Rothbard gets to the point quickly with simple examples and explanations for all of his points, and provides a firm and confident overview of the...Read more
...This book is an overview and highlights the big picture; no background in economics or political science is necessary.Read more
Nice brief overview of why the State is the enemy....Read more
Detailed, short and easy to read. Rothbard delivers an easy reading and is able to demonstrate his point with understandable analogies.Read more
18 customers mention references, 17 positive, 1 negative
...It has tons of notes and references at the end of every chapter as well. The only negative thing I have to say is related to the e-book product....Read more
Short book, totally worth it and full of information. Read this instead of 2000 pages of Ayn Rand. But she's good too.Read more
...Excellent references! Index (not linked)Read more
...His references to other works gives me a few more items to add to the reading list. Thanks to LvMI for making this one available digitally!Read more
11 customers mention simplicity, 10 positive, 1 negative
Simple, paperback and cheap. I'm considering buying a few copies to hand out to friends.Read more
...Rothbard is so clear, so basic, so simple. It is a rare and special characteristic of teachers who truly know what they're talking about....Read more
...Rothbard gets to the point quickly with simple examples and explanations for all of his points, and provides a firm and confident overview of the...Read more
Great book! Easy to understand the concepts and well backed up with plenty of references.Read more
8 customers mention clarity, 7 positive, 1 negative
...These slices provide example of Rothbard’s style. Clear, trenchant, incisive and persuasive. For some. Others . . ....Read more
...Nonetheless, a great simplified view of how Rothbard views the state which might provide the reader a good foundation to pursue more technical reads...Read more
...This book is an overview and highlights the big picture; no background in economics or political science is necessary.Read more
...sense among his audience, Rothbard gets his point across in a clear and sound way....Read more
Great little boom
As usual Murry Royhbard excels at getting his point across. This short 55 page book is a match to spark a fire of curiosity. He gives references for further reading. Great for teens or those first learning what true freedom really is.
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- Reviewed in the United States on May 7, 2023
- Reviewed in the United States on August 16, 2012
Top reviews from other countries
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Gerardo PérezReviewed in Mexico on November 30, 2022
Baja calidad intelectual de autor! .
- AravindReviewed in India on May 16, 2025
Powerful political doctrine
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Maximiliano GuimaraesReviewed in Brazil on December 31, 2017
uma ótima introdução ao libertarianismo
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Cliente AmazonReviewed in Italy on January 20, 2025
Un classico della letteratura libertaria
