Crime Quote by Murray N. Rothbard
““We may test the hypothesis that the State is largely interested in protecting itself rather than its subjects by asking: which category of crimes does the State pursue and punish most intensely — those against private citizens or those against itself?””
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Ethics of Liberty, 1973
The state often protects its own interests more than those of citizens, evident in selective crime enforcement.
In simple terms: State protects itself first.
Key Takeaway
Question authority’s motives.
Themes
politics
law
state power
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- policy analysis
- activism
- legal reform
Key Concepts
libertarianism
crimology
Questions to Reflect On
- Which crimes are most aggressively prosecuted?
- How does this affect public trust?
A Different Perspective
State actions may be justified for security.
![“[W]hich category of crimes does the State pursue and punish most intensely? [T]hose against private citizens or those against itself? The gravest crimes in the State's lexicon are almost invariably not invasions of private person or property, but dangers to its own contentment, for example…” quote by Murray Rothbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d00/murray-rothbard-1563_assassination_w-hich-category-of-crimes-does-the-state_1385780.jpg)
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