This page has been validated.
What the State Is Not[1]
The State is almost universally considered an institution of social service. Some theorists venerate the State as the apotheosis of society; others regard it as an amiable, though often inefficient, organization for achieving social ends; but almost all regard it as a necessary means for achieving the goals of mankind, a means to be ranged against the "private sector" and often winning in this competition of resources. With the rise of democracy, the identification of the State with society has been redoubled, until it is common to hear sentiments expressed which violate virtually every tenet of reason and common sense such as, "we
- ↑ Originally published in "Egalitarianism as a Revolt Against Nature and Other Essays" by Murray N. Rothbard (Auburn, Ala.: Mises Institute, 2000 [1974]), pp. 55–88.
9
