The inability of modern philosophers to furnish any kind of argument for the maintenance of a government is a notorious weakness. In Lysander Spooner’s writings, it becomes an odd strength. Throughout such writings as No Treason, A Letter to Thomas F. Bayard, and “Natural Law,” Spooner asks why taxation and participation in the workings of the state should be compulsory. He concludes that there is no legitimate reason, and that government is the instrument of robbery, slavery, and murder.
Contra Spooner
![The Journal of Libertarian Studies](https://cdn.mises.org/styles/responsive_4_3_650w/s3/static-page/img/jls_750x517_20230818_4.jpg.webp?itok=vxxtyv15 650w,https://cdn.mises.org/styles/responsive_4_3_870w/s3/static-page/img/jls_750x517_20230818_4.jpg.webp?itok=p-ULv9M7 870w,https://cdn.mises.org/styles/responsive_4_3_1090w/s3/static-page/img/jls_750x517_20230818_4.jpg.webp?itok=O1ijgKVd 1090w,https://cdn.mises.org/styles/responsive_4_3_1310w/s3/static-page/img/jls_750x517_20230818_4.jpg.webp?itok=PpCD2kdg 1310w,https://cdn.mises.org/styles/responsive_4_3_1530w/s3/static-page/img/jls_750x517_20230818_4.jpg.webp?itok=wvZo7bPH 1530w)
Downloads
CITE THIS ARTICLE
Williams, Colin. “Contra Spooner.” Journal of Libertarian Studies 18, No. 3 (2004): 1–9.
All Rights Reserved ©