Agression Quote by N. Stephan Kinsella
““Libertarian opponents of anarchy are attacking a straw man. Their arguments are usually utilitarian in nature and amount to "but anarchy won’t work" or "we need the (things provided by the) state." But these attacks are confused at best, if not disingenuous. To be an anarchist does not mean you think anarchy will "work" (whatever that means); nor that you predict it will or "can" be achieved. It is possible to be a pessimistic anarchist, after all. To be an anarchist only means that you believe that aggression is not justified, and that states necessarily employ aggression. And, therefore, that states, and the aggression they necessarily employ, are unjustified. It’s quite simple, really. It’s an ethical view, so no surprise it confuses utilitarians. Accordingly, anyone who is not an anarchist must maintain either: (a) aggression is justified; or (b) states (in particular, minimal states) do not necessarily employ aggression.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: Anarchism and Utilitarianism, null
Anarchism opposes state aggression, not necessarily advocating functional anarchy; it’s an ethical stance often misread by utilitarians.
In simple terms: Anarchism rejects state aggression, not necessarily endorses chaos.
Key Takeaway
Distinguish ethical critique from practical feasibility.
Themes
anarchism
ethics
political theory
Mood
critical
philosophical
Type
political
ethical
When to use this quote
- academic discourse
- political activism
- policy critique
- education
Key Concepts
state violence
utilitarianism
philosophical debate
Questions to Reflect On
- Is aggression always unjustified?
- How can societies organize without coercion?
A Different Perspective
May not address practical governance challenges.
