ESSAYS ON THE
THEORY AND HISTORY
OF SECURITY PRODUCTION

EDITED BY HANS-HERMANN HOPPE

THE MYTH OF NATIONAL DEFENSE:

ESSAYS ON THE
THEORY AND HISTORY
OF SECURITY PRODUCTION

Copyright © 2003 by the Ludwig von Mises Institute

Indexes prepared by Brad Edmonds

All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America. No part of this book may be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of reprints in the context of reviews. For information write the Ludwig von Mises Institute, 518 West Magnolia Avenue, Auburn, Alabama 36832.

To the memory of
Gustave de Molinari

(1819–1911)

Patrons

The Mises Institute dedicates this volume to all of its generous donors, and in particular wishes to thank these Patrons:

Don Printz, M.D., Mrs. Floy Johnson,
Mr. and Mrs. R. Nelson Nash, Mr. Abe Siemens

Mr. Steven R. Berger, Mr. Douglas E. French,

Mr. and Mrs. Richard D. Riemann (top dog™),

Mr. and Mrs. Joseph P. Schirrick,

Acknowledgments

This volume would not have come into existence without the help and encouragement of Professor Gerard Radnitzky. He first proposed the project to me and established the initial contact to Professor Ragnar Gerholm and Gregory Breland, whose help was instrumental in realizing it.

Introduction

In the American Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson affirmed

SECTION ONE

STATE-MAKING AND WAR-MAKING