me: > > I'd like to know how "free markets" and "private property" could exist > > without the restrictions imposed by government.
Charles Brown: > The repressive apparatus of the state, police, prisons, weapons, > army are necessary conditions for the existence of private property, > contracts. No government, no market. As I understand it, markets for products have existed without the coercion of the state. However, it was mixed with war. Merchants were hard to tell from marauders: they were involved in both "economic" and "military" functions. Two armed camps would aim their weapons at each other and then engage in trade. A temporary truce substituted for the role of the state. (I'd bet that the modern institution of escrow evolved from this kind of temporary truce. We both put our goods on neutral ground. Then, while aiming our weapons at each other, we pick up the goods that the other is selling.) But for "private" property as we know it (with economic and military functions separated) requires state coercion to enforce property rights, contracts, and exchange. So we agree. -- Jim Devine / "The radios blare muzak and newzak, diseases are cured every day / the worst disease is to be unwanted, to be used up, and cast away." -- Peter Case ("Poor Old Tom").