Image via Wikipedia My distaste for government in its current bloated form (a State as opposed to a government) should be apparent. Recently, I have characterized our government as a [...]
Nock
Dec 062011
Our economic problems rightfully dominate the news. However, they are merely symptoms of a bigger, underlying problem — government.
Government is never a solution. It is always the source of the problem(s).
For many, the previous paragraph is heresy. They “know” that government is necessary and good. They “know” that government solves problems and brings order to the chaos that would prevail in its absence. “They” are wrong!
Government has become little more than a carefully-crafted myth based on propaganda disseminated by government itself. It has devolved into a scheme of plunder whereby the elites plunder the masses.
It did not start that way, at least not so egregiously. Government transmogrified into a vicious predator, preying on the wealth of the productive to enrich the political class and their cronies. It is no longer a force for good, but for evil. It has turned into the biggest criminal enterprise known to man.
This quote from Albert J. Nock is eight decades old, but appropriately describes what passes for government in Washington, DC today:
Taking the State wherever found, striking into its history at any point, one sees no way to differentiate the activities of its founders, administrators and beneficiaries from those of a professional-criminal class
Americans have always viewed government skeptically. The vast majority of people still believe government is necessary. They also believe government is a potential, if not actual, evil because of its monopoly on power. Our Founding Fathers were explicit regarding this potential. George Washington described government as follows:
Government is not reason; it is not eloquent; it is force. Like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master.
A carefully crafted Constitution was drawn up to contain government and its power. Over time it was effectively demolished. With it went most limitations on government.
The Need For Government
The myth of government rests on two key assumptions — government is necessary and beneficial. Both are supported via the State’s propaganda machine. Few citizens recognize government as a predator enriching Continue reading »
Mar 162011
One of my favorite libertarian/curmudgeon intellectuals is Albert J. Nock. Here is his description of an election, any election:
It was clear from the first that the campaign would boil down to the one old familiar issue, which is whether we shall be blackmailed for the next four years to support a horde of deserving Democrats or a horde of deserving Republicans. This is the only real issue that has existed in American politics since the Civil War, and it is the only one that exists now. Hence those who hold no material stake in this issue may well decide that it is all the same to them which ticket wins or loses, and all the same to the country whether they drop their vote in the ballot box or in the ash barrel.
This description was from an article he wrote in 1936. It is as applicable today as it was then.
The latest validation of his wisdom is being demonstrated by the Republican “reformers.” Inspired by a mild citizen”revolt” that manifested itself in the Tea Party movement, an election of historic proportions occurred. The mandate overwhelmingly was to adhere to the Constitution and cut spending.
Thus far, their performance at the national level has been pathetic. Don’t expect much more than you have already seen, until an economic collapse occurs.
In this same article, available from Mises.org, Nock described the role of the President:
The president of the United States is precisely what the late Mr. Bryan said he is, “the people’s hired man,” and in the discharge of his specified duties he is open to judgment by exactly the same standards of integrity that we apply to the conduct of a bank manager or a train dispatcher, a butler or a housemaid.
What has happened to our government and country? Nock saw the problems and fraud three-quarters of a century ago. His words then are ring especially true today as matters have only deteriorated.
If you prefer to listen to an audio of the article, an MP3 audio file is available here.
Oct 282010
In 1935 in Our Enemy the State Albert J. Nock explained government rather directly and dramatically:
Taking the State wherever found, striking into its history at any point, one sees no way to differentiate the activities of its founders, administrators and beneficiaries from those of a professional-criminal class.
His observation applied to all countries and all forms of government.
Nock foresaw the inevitable degradation of government and its corrosive effects on society. He was well-read; a scholar who knew history and human nature. Our current problems would in no way surprise him, although he might be amused that it took so long, and that we believe that more government is the solution.
The scholarly libertarian Albert J. Nock wrote an autobiography entitled Memoirs of a Superfluous Man. The title alone is enough to entice one to learn more about the man. A reviewer states:
As anyone who has ever been lucky enough to read Memoirs of a Superfluous Man can tell you, this is a great injustice. With vast erudition, desert-dry wit, self-deprecation (both mock and genuine, one senses), and a fatalistic view of the world and its future, Nock tells the story of his education, both in school and after, and expounds on his view that the system that produced him and the views it left him with are both things of the past, making him a superfluous man.
An essay on Nock can be viewed here. His most famous book was Our Enemy The State.
Without knowing the name, many Americans have become “Nockians” as a reaction to our current problems. The Tea Party movement embodies many of his instincts regarding government. Non-Tea Partiers recognize the rampant corruption and waste in government. Many now believe that “professional-criminal class” is not too strong a description of government.
This reclusive man from the past knew our future. It might be beneficial to read some of his work to better understand the current nonsense that attempts to pass for wisdom. The reviewer ended with:
He writes beautifully and with great humor. On nearly every page you’ll find an idea or a turn of phrase that you’ll want to pause and turn over in your mind. I can not recommend this book highly enough. I can’t wait to read it again and everything else I can find by this least superfluous of men.
Apr 092010
Albert J. Nock, libertarian, wrote a book entitled Our Enemy the State in 1935. It is an interesting book for those who believe or don’t believe that the masses are little more than fodder for the big guys. In Nock’s opinion, the role of government everywhere has been to exploit the population by transferring both wealth and power from the private sector to the public sector and its allies.
The book is well written and appeals especially to the young. Perhaps it is because of the rebellious stage of youth (think college kids worshipping Che Guevara) or perhaps it is because your mind is still open. Most outgrow the book by their early and middle work life as they focus on the difficulties of career, family etc. Then, interestingly enough, many rediscover the book. In my case, I wondered why I ever set it aside. Others I have spoken with feel the same way.
Perhaps this cycle has been so for previous generations with this type of book. Or perhaps it is unique to our circumstances, where so much of what Nock said now rings true. Here are a few quotes:
It is unfortunately none too well understood that, just as the State has no money of its own, so it has no power of its own.
… the State has ever shown any disposition to suppress crime, but only to safeguard its own monopoly of crime.
Lincoln’s phrase, “of the people, by the people, for the people” was probably the most effective single stroke of propaganda ever made in behalf of republican State prestige.
Taking the State wherever found, striking into its history at any point, one sees no way to differentiate the activities of its founders, administrators and beneficiaries from those of a professional-criminal class.
Given our circumstances, it is easy to understand why people might feel cynical regarding their government. Is what we have gone through (and is still ahead of us) necessary or was Nock correct all the time?
The two-part video below dealing with the Federal Reserve, the banks and the government seems supportive of Nock’s position. Was he correct? Are we little more than feedstock for the powers that be?
Part I:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACm1ntw_4dM[/youtube]
Part II:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELRa19QyHfo[/youtube]
Government Gone Wild
Albert J. Nock: Timeless Insights
Ethics and Integrity of Government
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