But in complete candor, the sincere libertarian cannot be called an
anarchist whichever fork of the road he elects to pursue. It must
be recalled that without exception, anarchists wished to do away
with private ownership of property. Some advocated peaceful means
ending the abolition of government. Some advocated violent means by
destroying politicians in government. But by any yardstick employed,
and whether we are speaking of “philosophic anarchists” or “anarchistic
communists,” the central aim of the anarchist movement was to eliminate
private ownership. The reduction of the government to zero was simply,
to them, a necessary first step.
In contrast, the libertarian is a better economist. From first to last
he is in favor of private ownership. It is, in fact, the abuses of
private ownership inflicted by government which arouse the most ardent
libertarians.
If we take the “communist” anarchists, we are confronted with violence
as a means to abolish private ownership with the abolition of
government as the first step. If we take the “philosophic” anarchists,
we are confronted with essays on individualism and the desire to do
away with private ownership by means of the elimination of government.
The aim of the anarchist is to eliminate private ownership. The
libertarian is dedicated to the perpetuation and the full enjoyment of
private ownership.
Never could two doctrines be more in opposition.
The most constructive of the anarchists were, socially speaking,
individualists, peaceful and harmless. The least constructive, socially
speaking, were dedicated to the overthrow of force by counter force.
But without exception, in the realm of economics, every anarchist comes
unglazed.
In brief, let us define the anarchist as a political individualist and
an economic socialist. In contrast, the libertarian can be defined as
an individualist, both politically and economically.
As the libertarian approaches or hesitates at the fork in the road, one
direction seems to him to indicate anarchy and the other, an advocacy
of coercion in minor doses. But, on careful analysis, the branch which
seems to carry the banner “anarchy” does no such thing.
The libertarian, however he mulls over this dilemma to his progress,
is not concerned with government. His concern is with liberty. He is
not opposed to government. He favors freedom. The libertarian wishes to
preserve all human rights, among which and predominantly among them is
the right to own property privately and to enjoy it fully.
The libertarian is a champion of individualism. He is an advocate of
tools which can perform certain functions for him. He has no objection
to the formation of any kind of tool that will assist him to protect
his rights or his property. But he cannot brook the forceful compulsive
tool which he is compelled to pay for when he has no use for it.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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