by Benjamin Marks, Economics.org.au editor-in-chief

No one is born a libertarian. This does not mean we are born opposed to libertarianism. What it does mean is that to be a libertarian one needs an introduction.

An introduction to libertarianism should be conclusive. It should be unambiguous in tone and content, so that no compromise can be entertained. Without its length deterring readers, all objections should be answered. The belief in the existence of such an introduction to libertarianism is as utopian as libertarianism itself.

I have only been able to find one passage of the brevity, content and tone that I was after. Fortunately, thanks to the stringent criteria, one passage ought to do. Written by H.L. Mencken, it leaves supporters of government without any escape route. Without further ado:

The government consists of a gang of men exactly like you and me. They have, taking one with another, no special talent for the business of government; they have only a talent for getting and holding office. Their principal device to that end is to search out groups who pant or pine for something they can’t get, and to promise to give it to them. Nine times out of ten that promise is worth nothing. The tenth time is made good by looting A to satisfy B. In other words, government is a broker in pillage, and every election is a sort of advance auction sale of stolen goods.1

This passage uses the three main tools of libertarianism: methodological individualism, subjective utility and praxeological synonyms. Click for more information. This series could also be called, “Libertarianism in One Paragraph and Three Lessons.”

Footnote

  1. H.L. Mencken, On Politics, ed. Malcolm Moos (New York: Viking Books, 1960), p. 331. First sentence abridged.