Defending
the
Undefendable

The Pimp, Prostitute, Scab, Slumlord, Libeler,
Moneylender, and Other Scapegoats in the
Rogue’s Gallery of American Society

Walter Block

Copyright © 2008 Ludwig von Mises Institute
Copyright © 1991 Fox and Wilkes
Copyright © 1976 by Fleet Press Corporation

All rights reserved. Written permission must be secured from the publisher to use or reproduce any part of this book, except for brief quotations in critical reviews or articles.

Published by the Ludwig von Mises Institute, 518 West Magnolia Avenue, Auburn, Alabama 36832. Mises.org.

This book is dedicated to those who have taught me political economy and inspired me with a passion for justice:

Nathaniel Branden
Walter E. Grinder
Henry Hazlitt
Benjamin Klein
Ayn Rand
Jerry Woloz

and especially Murray N. Rothbard

FOREWORD

For many years, free-market economists have shown how market activities benefit the often heedless public. Ever since the days of Adam Smith, they have shown how producers and businessmen, generally motivated solely by personal gain, unwittingly confer enormous benefits on the general public. By seeking to maximize their profits and minimize losses, for example, businessmen are driven to satisfy the most urgent demands of the consumers in the most efficient way.

COMMENTARY

Looking through Defending the Undefendable made me feel that I was once more exposed to the shock therapy by which, more than fifty years ago, the late Ludwig von Mises converted me to a consistent free market position. Even now I am occasionally at first incredulous and feel that “this is going too far,” but usually find in the end that you are right. Some may find it too strong a medicine, but it will still do them good even if they hate it.

INTRODUCTION

The people presented in this book are generally considered villainous, and the functions they perform, harmful. Sometimes society itself is damned because it spawns such reprehensible characters. However, the thrust of this book will concentrate on the following propositions:

1. they are guilty of no wrongdoing of a violent nature;

2. in virtually every case, they actually benefit society;

3. if we prohibit their activities, we do so at our own loss.

I. SEXUAL

1

THE PROSTITUTE

Subject to ceaseless harassment by blue laws, church groups, chambers of commerce, etc., prostitutes nevertheless continue to trade with the public. The value of their service is proven by the fact that people continue to seek them out, despite legal and civic opposition.