We think you will benefit from constantly thinking about, and drawing attention to, the fact that The State is a monopoly based on violence.
Referring to The State as The Coercive Entity is a good way to do that. Here’s the case for it . . .
Not even organized crime uses coercion all the time. Only The State does this.
Strange as it may be to contemplate, criminal organizations actually provide many products and services without threatening violence against their customers. Prostitution and drugs are just two examples. But . . .
There are NO examples of peaceful transactions when it comes to The State. All State actions are based on the threat of violence.
If you want to stop using drugs or hiring prostitutes from the local gang, you’re very unlikely to be harmed, but . . .
If you want to stop funding the department of Housing and Urban Development, because you think Habitat for Humanity does a better job, agents of The State will soon arrive at your door to threaten you with violence.
We’re so used to hearing that our particular version of The State is “of the people, by the people, for the people” that we fail to notice the stark reality, that our State is based on violence, just like all other States.
Which is more important . . .
- The fact that every couple of years you get to choose, from a very limited list of candidates, the people who will run The State, or . . .
- The fact that The State is a coercive monopoly?
To us, the fact that The State is a coercive monopoly is far more important. America’s Founders recognized this. That’s why they took multiple measures to LIMIT The State’s power. Sadly, those limits have largely eroded over the years. Now it’s up to us to restore them. One way to do that is to speak honestly about what The State really is. It is . . .
A coercive monopoly.
We think you will benefit from constantly thinking about, and drawing attention to, the fact that The State is a monopoly based on violence. Referring to The State as The Coercive Entity is a good way to do that.
- Do not call it “the government.”
- Call it The State.
- Call it The Coercive Entity.
Expand your knowledge by reading these related articles:
Our Lexicon: Statists and Statism
This message is an educational service of the Downsize DC Foundation. Please share it with others. Please tell your friends that they can receive similar material in the future by subscribing to our free email newsletter, The Downsizer-Dispatch.
Copyright (c) 2010 by Perry Willis. Permission to distribute this blog post for educational purposes is granted, if done with attribution to the author and the Downsize DC Foundation. Permission to use for commercial purposes is denied.