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| As no
individual in his private capacity -- as a citizen -- may morally initiate force against others, neither may he in his public capacity --
as a state official -- initiate force either. Morally, no one may initiate force for any reason whatsoever, even if that reason claims to be for the "public good". (For is not the individual, whose rights are being violated for the "public good", a member of the "public" also?) What then does a proper government consist of? In order to protect rights, a government requires three things: an army -- to protect against foreign invaders, a police force -- to protect against domestic criminals, and a court system -- to settle honest disputes that arise, enforce contracts, and to punish criminals, according to objectively predefined laws. |
