2.4.2. Opportunism

Private property is, of course, very noble, but if this particular little thing is lying around poorly, why not turn it into one’s own private property? And what does it matter if the thing had an owner—let them try to prove it, and besides, they should take better care of their property. Maybe this thing wasn’t needed by them, but it will be useful to me; the economic efficiency is obvious.

Voluntary interactions are, of course, great, but if a person is slow to understand, maybe a cuff to the head will make them understand better? And even if they don’t, at least they’ll stop sticking their fingers in the socket, and it will be better for them.

Children live as dependents of their parents for two decades; why not compel them to pay back the debts when they grow up? Regardless of the fact that they didn’t ask to be supported or even born. If they had been left to starve to death in infancy—would that be more humane? Well, if children can be compelled to pay debts, then other debtors can be treated quite harshly too; let them pay as well. And bankruptcy procedures are a fraud invented by leftists to avoid paying debts.

Everyone seems to understand that if those around them learned to be kind, friendly, and interact with others only with their consent, it would be a very attractive world, but one that is far too toy-like. Because anyone can come up with an imaginary (or even recall a real) example of how deviating from such rules yields a far more effective result. In short, instructions are written for those who are only learning, while those who already know how do whatever is most convenient. When everyone follows instructions to the letter, it is called a work-to-rule strike, and the word “strike” is used because work in such a mode simply grinds to a halt. So why did we decide that it would be any different in an ideal ancap?


Leave a Reply