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I define anarchist society as one where there is no legal possibility for coercive aggression against the person or property of any individual. Anarchists oppose the State because it has its very being in such aggression, namely, the expropriation of private property through taxation, the coercive exclusion of other providers of defense service from its territory, and all of the other depredations and coercions that are built upon these twin foci of invasions of individual rights.
Murray Rothbard
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Anarchism advocates for a society without coercive authority, where individual rights are paramount.

This quote by Murray Rothbard articulates the core principles of anarchism, which emphasizes the rejection of the State due to its inherent nature of enforcing aggression against individuals and their properties. Anarchists seek a society where individuals are free from coercive forces that infringe upon their rights, and where property rights are protected from state expropriation and taxation.

Themes

AnarchismFreedomCoercionIndividual RightsState

In practice

Example use cases

In a debate about the role of government, one might quote this to illustrate the impact of coercive authority.

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