Only individuals can desire and act. The existence of an institution such as government becomes meaningful only through influencing the actions of those individuals who are and those who are not considered as members. Murray Rothbard actactionconsider share on social
Libertarians regard the state as the Supreme, the eternal, the best organized aggressor against the persons and property of the mass of the public. All states everywhere, whether democratic, dictatorial, or monarchical, whether red, white, blue or brown. Murray Rothbard aggressorbluebrown share on social
Among intellectuals who consider themselves 'scientific,' the phrase 'the nature of man' is apt to have the effect of a red flag on a bull. Murray Rothbard aptbulleffect Change image and share on social
The politician and the government expert receive their revenues, not from service voluntarily purchased on the market, but from a compulsory levy on the populace. These officials, therefore, wholly lack the pecuniary incentive to care about serving the public properly and competently. Murray Rothbard carecompetentlycompulsory share on social
It is in war that the State really comes into its own: swelling in power, in number, in pride, in absolute dominion over the economy and the society. Murray Rothbard absolutedominioneconomy Change image and share on social
The majority is not society, is not everyone. Majority coercion over the minority is still coercion. Murray Rothbard coercionmajorityminority Change image and share on social
What is so terrible about transaction costs? On what basis are they considered the ultimate evil, so that their minimization must override all other considerations of choice, freedom, and justice? Murray Rothbard basischoiceconsider Change image and share on social
The successful entrepreneurs on the free market will be the ones most adept at anticipating future business conditions. Yet, the forecasting can never be perfect, and entrepreneurs will continue to differ in the success of their judgments. If this were not so, no profits or losses would ever be made in business. Murray Rothbard adeptanticipatebusiness share on social
It should be clear that modern fractional reserve banking is a shell game, a Ponzi scheme, a fraud in which fake warehouse receipts are issued and circulate as equivalent to the cash supposedly represented by those receipts. Murray Rothbard bankcashcirculate share on social
It is human nature that when you see something work well, you do more of it. If, in its ceaseless quest for revenue, government sees a seemingly harmless method of raising funds without causing much inflation, it will grab on to it. Murray Rothbard causeceaselessfund share on social