Mises Wire

Gary Galles

Despite the problems that bedevil comprehensive political plans, there is one central plan that can benefit all members of a society (except for predators on others) -- the joint protection of everyone’s private property. As Locke pointed out, and many of America’s founders echoed, that is the only thing government’s coercive power can do that can make all citizens better off.

In other words, “don’t ever violate others’ rights” is adequately comprehensive for extensive, successful social cooperation. But it is comprehensive only in spelling out what no one can do to others without their consent. It imposes no limits on what individuals can create voluntarily with and for others, a far cry from the political delineation and delegation of privileges to some and duties to others. And it is far superior in both ethical and economic terms to legislation or regulations that are supposedly comprehensive, yet routinely violate citizens’ rights.

Ryan McMaken

In certain contexts, an animal can be of little use or a nuisance, as in the case of a lion or elephant running unrestrained. On the other hand, the private market has done a lot of good work in providing more sanctuary for animals through private sector eco-tourism by placing animals into situations where they are valuable rather than destructive.