Thomas Paine
Too many people believe that society can not exist without government. That belief is false and has been recognized as such for centuries.
Society can exist without any government in the same way that you coexist with your family and your neighbors. Limited government does not provide anything that could not be provided without it. It can perform certain limited functions more efficiently than private markets could. “Free rider” issues are the primary reason.
However, it would be much cheaper to suffer the inefficiencies of dealing with free rider issues than having a government that becomes oppressive and takes on functions it has no business doing. Leviathan is more expensive than a trivial free rider problem.
The piece below provides Thomas Paine’s view of government:
Thomas Paine on Society & Government
by Sheldon RichmanIn connection with today’s TGIF, I reproduce a quotation from Thomas Paine (The Rights of Man), who thought government a “necessary evil.” In it, Paine anticipates work by Bastiat, Lysander Spooner, Benjamin Tucker, Carl Menger, Mises, Hayek, Bruno Leoni, Anthony de Jasay, Elinor Ostrom, Peter Boettke, Peter Leeson, and more.
“Great part of that order which reigns among mankind is not the effect of government. It has its origin in the principles of society and the natural constitution of man. It existed prior to government, and would exist if the formality of government was abolished. The mutual dependence and reciprocal interest which man has upon man, and all the parts of civilised community upon each other, create that great chain of connection which holds it together. The landholder, the farmer, the manufacturer, the merchant, the tradesman, and every occupation, prospers by the aid which each receives from the other, and from the whole. Common interest regulates their concerns, and forms their law; and the laws which common usage ordains, have a greater influence than the laws of government. In fine, society performs for itself almost everything which is ascribed to government.”
Society is produced by our wants and government by our wickedness–Paine
But now it is government which is the source of our wickedness. An amazing evolution.