All the reasoning set forth above emerged simultaneously with the writing of the book. The theme of war in libertarian ideology had remained completely undeveloped until now, so there were simply no beaten paths for the author’s thought to follow.
Some considerations proved quite unexpected for the author. These include, for example, the understanding that a theory of war cannot be considered without introducing speculative collective subjects that make moral demands on the individual. Such subjects are referred to in the text as spirits. Another example is the conclusion that, in formulating a libertarian attitude toward opponents in war, it is not so important which specific party committed the initial attack. What is far more important are the moral restrictions observed by each party in the conduct of war.
The author believes they have succeeded in remaining within the positions of the subjective theory of value. Therefore, although various alternatives undergo economic analysis in the book, the conclusion as to which specific alternative to prefer is always left to the reader, based on their own system of values.
Only the final parting word remains to be formulated. Wars have accompanied the entire existence of humanity. Therefore, even the elimination of aggressors as powerful and culturally ingrained as states is unlikely to allow for a complete end to wars. Most likely, each reader of the book will encounter at least one significant war in their lifetime. I wish for you that everyone you happen to kill in war be among those whom you would have considered worthy of death even before the war, and if no such people are within striking distance, that you have the opportunity to avoid participation. In other words: fight your own wars, do not fight others’.