Anatomy of the State

We may test the hypothesis that the State is largely interested in protecting itself rather than its subjects by asking: which category of crimes does the State pursue and punish most intensely—those against private citizens or those against itself? The gravest crimes in the State’s lexicon are almost invariably not invasions of private personor property, but dangers to its own contentment, for example, treason, desertion of a soldier to the enemy, failure to register for the draft, subversion and subversive conspiracy, assassination of rulers and such economic crimes against the State as counterfeiting its money or evasion of its income tax. Or compare the degree of zeal devoted to pursuing the man who assaults a policeman, with the attention that the State pays to the assault of an ordinary citizen. Yet, curiously, the State’s openly assigned priority to its own defense against the public strikes few people as inconsistent with its presumed raison d’etre.

Rothbard writes, "Of all the numerous forms that governments have taken over the centuries, of all the concepts and institutions that have been tried, none has succeeded in keeping the State in check. The problem of the State is evidently as far from solution as ever." The state has no real substance in itself. It is a collection of people, and people are basically self serving. To be other serving requires intentionality borne of discipline and love for fellow man, or at the very least, for moral concepts of truth and justice. Thus, at bottom, the solution to the state problem is the same as the solution to the human problem: God, repentance, redemption, forgiveness, the golden rule. Without these things, Hobbes must be right. All secular approaches and solutions are doomed to fail.

Murray goes hard in this one. Very wild perspective and a fun read! The argument seems a bit extreme. However, from a rational perspective, Rothbard isn't wrong. I was amazed how the genius Rothbard made such a compelling argument in just 60 pages. Rothbard's view is very black and white. I don't think all politicians participation in government for malicious reasons. Yet, Murray is absolutely correct in the manner that the government conducts itself from a moral and philosophical standpoint. I wish this perspective was taught in schools. Even if you disagree and buy into the "social contract", its very educational to be exposed to alternative perspectives as such.

Rothbard is the great successor to von Mises - this is devastating critique on the diasters wrought by modern governments - But I disagree with his nomenclature - the 'State' and government are not the same. 'State' is an abstract concept generated during the Renaissance to take the place of 'the great chain of being' as the legitimizing concept for government (read rulers) actions - So it is the rulers (government) that are the doers - the culprits and the 'state' is their public claim to justification.

Probably in the top 10 books I’d recommend reading in your life time. Even if you don’t share a lot of the same thoughts as the author he still makes many compelling points. I myself got a copy, than ordered another for my friend who likes to read theory

I highly recommend everybody read this book. Regardless of political affiliation, this is an eye opening book that encourages independent thought and critical analysis of the government. Every high school student should read this book.

This book beautifully lays out the moral argument against the state. We are seeing this more and more every day. The government is evil, just as every state is.

In 55 pages it goes you the crux of what you need to understand the birth, growth and the ever increasing growth until it dies.

Bought as gift for son. He requested it.

Easy and fantastic read.

We may test the hypothesis that the State is largely interested in protecting itself rather than its subjects by asking: which category of crimes does the State pursue and punish most intensely—those against private citizens or those against itself? The gravest crimes in the State’s lexicon are almost invariably not invasions of private personor property, but dangers to its own contentment, for example, treason, desertion of a soldier to the enemy, failure to register for the draft, subversion and subversive conspiracy, assassination of rulers and such economic crimes against the State as counterfeiting its money or evasion of its income tax. Or compare the degree of zeal devoted to pursuing the man who assaults a policeman, with the attention that the State pays to the assault of an ordinary citizen. Yet, curiously, the State’s openly assigned priority to its own defense against the public strikes few people as inconsistent with its presumed raison d’etre.

Rothbard writes, "Of all the numerous forms that governments have taken over the centuries, of all the concepts and institutions that have been tried, none has succeeded in keeping the State in check. The problem of the State is evidently as far from solution as ever." The state has no real substance in itself. It is a collection of people, and people are basically self serving. To be other serving requires intentionality borne of discipline and love for fellow man, or at the very least, for moral concepts of truth and justice. Thus, at bottom, the solution to the state problem is the same as the solution to the human problem: God, repentance, redemption, forgiveness, the golden rule. Without these things, Hobbes must be right. All secular approaches and solutions are doomed to fail.

Murray goes hard in this one. Very wild perspective and a fun read! The argument seems a bit extreme. However, from a rational perspective, Rothbard isn't wrong. I was amazed how the genius Rothbard made such a compelling argument in just 60 pages. Rothbard's view is very black and white. I don't think all politicians participation in government for malicious reasons. Yet, Murray is absolutely correct in the manner that the government conducts itself from a moral and philosophical standpoint. I wish this perspective was taught in schools. Even if you disagree and buy into the "social contract", its very educational to be exposed to alternative perspectives as such.

Rothbard is the great successor to von Mises - this is devastating critique on the diasters wrought by modern governments - But I disagree with his nomenclature - the 'State' and government are not the same. 'State' is an abstract concept generated during the Renaissance to take the place of 'the great chain of being' as the legitimizing concept for government (read rulers) actions - So it is the rulers (government) that are the doers - the culprits and the 'state' is their public claim to justification.

Probably in the top 10 books I’d recommend reading in your life time. Even if you don’t share a lot of the same thoughts as the author he still makes many compelling points. I myself got a copy, than ordered another for my friend who likes to read theory

I highly recommend everybody read this book. Regardless of political affiliation, this is an eye opening book that encourages independent thought and critical analysis of the government. Every high school student should read this book.

This book beautifully lays out the moral argument against the state. We are seeing this more and more every day. The government is evil, just as every state is.

In 55 pages it goes you the crux of what you need to understand the birth, growth and the ever increasing growth until it dies.

Bought as gift for son. He requested it.

Easy and fantastic read.

Should be required ready for all high school students

This world would be a better place for all to live if all would just take an afternoon to read this book.

Murray Rothbard is, bar far, in the top 3 economists authors next to Mises and Hayek.

Government schools shouldn't exist. If they do, this should be mandatory reading material. 5$ to change your life right here. 10/10

This book by Murray Rothbard, is an essential read for any Libertarian or any person who wishes to understand how the government expands, as it is its natural tendency.

for something new in your life — meditate on this!

How the state corrupts everything

I enjoyed it

Great book. Add it to your Libertarian library asap.

I am someone who is skeptical of the state and convinced that the state is far more interested in itself and those who are a part of the state than of the governed. This book confirms that view and points out how hard the state works to eliminate restraints put upon it and the propensity of the state to expand its powers. Along the way, the state and the governors give no thought to the governed except to evaluate how people will vote. I will interject current politics here. It appears the Obama not only abstained on the UN vote on the Israeli settlements, but after the resolution was pulled by Egypt, he manipulated some other countries to resurrect the bill so he could make sure the resolution would pass. Did Obama do that when there was a chance he could be punished by voters? Of course not. He waited until after the election so he could get his wishes with no personal repercussions. Did Obama care what the governed thought? Of course not. This is a prime example of how Rothbard views the state and the people who run the government. This book is for anyone who is skeptical of the state no matter what the form of government may be.

This book is amazing, I have sticky notes on almost every page marking passages that really stick out.

Murray Rothbard is considered by many of his devout followers the father of Libertarianism. This short read (only about 55 pages) dissects the role of the state and its intended purpose in the eyes of the author. As someone who has been both influenced and intrigued by the Libertarian ideology, I felt this was certainly a book I had to read. Most people outside of Libertarian circles would find this book quite extreme and I can understand why. However, from a 40,000 ft view and looking at history as a credible example, it is quite shocking to see how many people have been killed and exterminated through forced state actions such as war, domestic police and military brutality, as well as seizure of economic resources at the hands of the state. I am still finding my way when it comes to what the role of the state should be if any. I do find either extremes of total state control or no state control very worrying though.

no BS, actual breakdown of what the state is, no matter what government in the world you point to.

Rothbard, what else do you need to know?

Short but a great way to introduce someone to new ideas. Amazing book

Rothbard Rocks!

You think your president really, truly represents you and has your best interests in mind? You think that by voting you make a difference? You think that the government should take care of the economy, health care, and every possible aspect of your life? If so, think again or you will be in for a big surprise if you haven't realized it as of now. If you already had intuitions about the parasitic, and fundamentally flawed nature of government but still couldn't grasp it in its horrific totality then this is the book you need to read. Murray Rothbard came to me, or I came to him after years of admiring and following Ron Paul's speeches and ideas. After reading anatomy of the state and other works from Rothbard, now I see where many of Ron Paul's ideas originate. They come from Rothbard, and Rothbard's ideas, at the same time, originate in Mises' interpretation of life in the world throughout the lens of Austrian Economics and individualism. If you identify yourself with Ron Paul, libertarianism, individualism and classical liberalism, then this is a book you need to read to know what we, as a civilization, are currently facing in the form of tyrannical governments, corrupt politicians and despotic ruling elites. Rothbard deconstructs many of those vague ideas and uncertain images we have about how things are and how things should be, to provide us with, instead, a very clear target of what's wrong in this world and how we can respond to those who threaten our freedom to think, do, and be. I highly recommend this book. But be warned, if you decide to go ahead and read it, your views on humanity and your own perspective of reality will be forever changed and there will be no coming back. And that, in this case, will always be good news, as keeping things the way we are will doom us all eventually,

This is something that everyone should read.

In this day and age of the deep state, we all begin to wonder what it is all about. Mr. Rothbard starts with fundamentals and shows us where we need the state, AND WHERE WE DON'T NEED IT. Individual freedom for all is the objective. It starts with the individual. Each individual works to supply himself and his family. Without government at all levels taking huge chunks of each individual's wealth, we could all happily supply ourselves. The government cannot give to any person except what it has first stolen from others i.e. taxed. Who knows what great things we might have if the government had not stepped in front and taxed. Even items like roads could be worked out without government -- if the government had not stepped in front and seized OUR wealth. There is plenty to think about in this short book.

Murray Rothbard arguments against statehood are simply misguided and not once does he suggest an alternative to statehood or propose any idea on how society would function without the state. This is a book which may sway those who or nihilistic is disappointed in their government but does nothing to address the issues we face in society. I keep asking “how” but never get an answer. Murray just seems disappointed with modern statehood but has no unique solutions of his own, at least not in this book.

This book is a must read, for everyone. It is a must read for libertarians, because Rothbard’s point of view is the only logical conclusion of libertarianism. And, as for a must read for everyone else, I believe that it is a great thing to challenge your current perspective, and maybe even learn something new.

Very good book

What I love about this book is that you don't need to read between the lines, the author is crystal clear about his views on State. I don't fully share these views but have some sympathy for them, but even if I didn't, I would still find this a very worthwhile read.

I was reminded of the foolish choice of the Hebrews, who gave up nearly half a millennium of liberty under the Hebrew Republic, for "a king like the other nations". Daniel Elazar makes the claim that only then, and at America's founding did real liberty make a brief appearance. Hayek also called for a fourth branch of government to act as the lawyer's law, with the role of checking the Supreme Court when It strays from the Law in the Constitution. Ultimately, we do chose our "king", investing in the state our own flawed and misguided views of God, Nature, and Man.

So many illustrations of the many ways that the almighty State is illegitimate and parasitic. Great read! It's a private company within itself, and checks and balances are done within its company. Their interests are not the citizen's interests. A politician comes along, strong personality, left or right, convinces them that their interests will be served. But eventually it is revealed that they collude together.

This is a very short "book" that is mostly just someone who doesn't think the world is fair whining about it. Everything in it is obvious and asinine.

There are a number of things over which I disagree with Murray Rothbard, but his sweeping disdain for the oppressive nature of government isn't one of them. I generally prefer Tolkien's position on using (or rather, on not using) "the State" as a proper noun, but this can and should be consciously overlooked in order to read through Rothbard's AotS.

A junior high school student will be able to understand this book. Rothbard is so clear, so basic, so simple. It is a rare and special characteristic of teachers who truly know what they're talking about. He is never confused, or confusing for the reader. This tiny book (it's only 50 pages) is a wonderful place for anyone who wonders how our nation can possibly survive the chaotic political miasma it currently finds itself in to begin a journey of understanding, and ultimately possibly find reason to be optimistic about the future. There is much, much more to read, but this could be a great beginning place. Once you can grasp what Rothbard has laid out, I'd suggest readers try a thorough look at [...]

So, I'm an anarchist - and I really wanted to see what The Rothbard had to say about the State. Well, this is the Quintessential book on the state. I really cannot do it justice other than to say that it is very well written, short and to the point - but does an excellent job of explaining what a state really is and what it is not. buy this, read it and share it - we need to save the planet from the destructive force of the state. but that can't happen without people reading this and waking up. there are other good resources of course, but this book is foundational.

This small book is a must read for anyone that has been looking at governments as the be all end all. It literally destroys the notion that any government held away from the people is not of the people.

I didn't realize it was a short essay when I bought it. I was able to read it in one go, at about 60 pages. Nonetheless, a great simplified view of how Rothbard views the state which might provide the reader a good foundation to pursue more technical reads in free market economics, once you understand how the state operates, what it is, and what it isn't. This was very short, to the point, and good read. I liked it for what it is. But if you're looking for a real piece of Rothbard work, this isn't it. He wrote this in one night.

Rothbard expressed the ideological bent I've lived since the beginning of the 1960's, rooted in the Constitution and the natural rights of man. The right to live, the freedom of movement and the right to keep the fruits of your labour. The growth of government tyranny and the expansion of power by the powerful is explained so well.

This is a fantastic book. With that said, it is not the easiest read. It is a complex read due to the subject matter and the wording chosen to describe such matter. I would recommend reading this book after reading several other books by Rothbard and/or Mises. This book provides a fantastic view into government as a State and the actions that the State takes and what the actual causes and reasons for these actions are. It is definitely a worthwhile read that will open anyone's eyes.

This is not a book on the organizations of government and who does what. It is a concise and cutting analysis of State power, and the governed that watch it grow more massive with each passing day. Rothbard begins quickly and builds on his premise that the State gains at the expense of the individual. He finds excellent examples to make a fine point. Here are two of my favorites: 1. "Since most men tend to love their homeland, the identification of that land and its people with the State was a means of making natural patriotism work to the State's advantage." Consider how you might think about citizens of a country based on it's head of state. When the government identifies a "regime" that is opposed to it's well-being, we - the collective people - typically show our patriotism by supporting our government and policies that must be implemented to protect us. 2. "We may test the hypothesis that the State is largely interested in protecting itself rather than its subjects by asking: which category of crimes does the State pursue and punish most intensely - those against private citizens or those against itself?" This got right to the point: the government looks out for itself, just like you look out for you and your family and property. The difference between the two is that the government has the ability to punish and expand its resources as it feels necessary. You, as an individual, do not. To sum up: if you are reading this, chances are you are looking to know more about political history and power, economics, or libertarian viewpoints in general. For any of these purposes, I think you would be wise to consider this 60 page book. It is a fast, intelligent read that will likely help you critically analyze other policies and political ideologies from the standpoint of the State vs. the people. This book is an overview and highlights the big picture; no background in economics or political science is necessary.

Rothbard offers a very basic, introductory analysis of the state. Anatomy of the state is a useful and brief read for anyone drifting below the horizon of the political compass. Regarding the publication: The front cover is awful. It's only tangentially related to the text, and is aesthetically displeasing. The reverse is even worse, having plain red text over a stretched image of the White House. Not only does this look horrible, but there shouldn't be any reference to the US as it threatens the universality of the work.

An enlightening read. Short, to the point, and full of powerful arguments. I've found pamphlet style books like this are the some of the most fun to read. Rothbard starts out strong and just keeps going - couldn't put it down. Some interesting ideas on the nature of government are brought forth and he presents them with his signature irrefutable rationale that leaves you smiling and the end of each chapter. It took about 45 minutes to read and left me hungry for more... it's kind of like a tasty little appetizer of Rothbard's other works. Quite satisfied with the purchase.

Fantastic content, quality construction I was recommended this book by a friend, and it exceeded my expectations. It is a quick read, and a good read. It is built well and I feel this was a mutually beneficial exchange.

As usual Murry Royhbard excels at getting his point across. This short 55 page book is a match to spark a fire of curiosity. He gives references for further reading. Great for teens or those first learning what true freedom really is.

I was surprised at how succinct this was. I had hoped for some more depth. That said, while I certainly didn't find it revolutionary, this work provides a fairly easy to down summary of Rothbard's ideas, and leaves the reader with a host of topics which warrant further thought and analysis. I found that while I didn't necessarily take any specific lessons from this, I was left with a list of topics which I now intend to investigate further. So, as a definitive work, most will likely find this disappointing, but as a quick summary that points the reader to more paths to delve into on their own, it's quite good.

This book ties it all together. A short read, but perfectly written and straight to the point on every topic. Timeless truths. Buy it!

I read this book after hearing rave reviews. Rothbard's main point is that the state is not built or created on a social contract model, but originated as a group of bandits who controlled a territory. Out of tribute came taxes. Ok. Fair enough. For states like Germany before 1945, and Russia after 1917, I fully concur. But what about Switzerland. It seems to me that Swiss democracy really was a social contract and not a group of bandits who took over and are holding the Swiss hostage. Thus I prefer the other Austrian economic thinkers like Mises and Hayek who favor a very thin, ultra-liberal state like that in Switzerland, the Hansa League in the 1600s, Holland in the 1600s, Venice in the 1600s, etc. A state does not have to be rapacious. In fact, if kept ultra-liberal, a state can provide defense, courts, and things like weights and measures without turning into Stalin's Russia.

A brief but concise & accurate view of the State, in my opinion. It clarifies or corrects common misconceptions. I recommend this book to everyone who is interested in understanding the nature of government in order to promote liberty & freedom.

The text is good, but frankly buy "For a new Liberty" Rothbard says almost everything he has in anatomy of the state in FaNL, and you get a lot more with it. Do buy if your looking for something short to give to someone as an introduction.

Rothbard presents the definitive classical liberal (libertarian) view of the state in a very brief, easy-to-read volume. If you are wanting to understand why libertarians hold such a dim view of an over-reaching government, or if you want a resource to present that case to others, you can't go wrong with this book.

Murray Rothbard never misses, always gets it right and does so in a concise, understandable way. This book really does give you the Anatomy of the state apparatus... and how it tries to trick us.

The author presents a rather brief analysis of the concept and characteristics of a state or government. Being biased in favor of capitalism, the author assumes and makes an effort to evidence that state power is nearly antithetical to social and economic freedom. He quotes from other near-contemporaries of his at length. Unfortunately, the writings from which he quotes are more interesting than anything he has written. I recommend this for anyone looking to get their feet wet regarding theories against state power.

I stumbled upon this book by accident but I am glad that I did. I have been recommending this book incessantly since I completed it. I am now making my way through a second reading of this book so that Rothbards arguments will soon become my own arguments. Overall it is a short book and jam-packed with the basic arguments against the State.

Another gem from Rothbard. As usual he nails it. His grasp of history especially economic history is a pleasure to absorb. Worth the price of admission.

Studying the nature of the state in an historical sense and how states have always served to consolidate their power toward themselves, to preserve themselves, is a fabulous adventure. This book is an easy read, yet offers reference windows that enable a vast course of self-study. I see so many parallels to events I have witnessed since I was born in 1951. I am discouraged in that recovery from state tyranny appears to be an impossible task. Yet I am encouraged that readings such as this open a window of understanding that motivate a more critical assessment of current realities and a guiding of my personal actions to divert or mitigate the coercive actions of the state against me and those who associate with me.

My brother wanted this book as a present, and he loved it!

It is a bit dated as far as Rothbard's writing style is concerned however his observations are certainly worth considering. It's a short book, more of a booklet. I usually enjoy historical writers who comment on economic and political issues, we need their perspectives.

This is one of the most important pieces of literature you should read. Read Bastiat's "That Which is Seen, That Which is Unseen", "The Law", and then read Murray Rothbard's "Anatomy of the State." This is a relatively short essay. It takes no more than an hour to read at most. It has tons of notes and references at the end of every chapter as well. The only negative thing I have to say is related to the e-book product. The margins for the pages are very narrow and it makes the text smaller than it otherwise would be. This can be a strain on the eyes. I would try a sample first to make sure you are okay with the format of the book. The book itself is fantastic though, highly recommended!

Simple, paperback and cheap. I'm considering buying a few copies to hand out to friends.

A “need to read” for anyone, even if you don’t agree with the message it will give you a good perspective.

Murray Rothbard gets quick to the point that governments are inherently Anti-Capitalist. In a time where everyone is referring to Cronyism as synonymous with “Free Markets”, Rothbard breaks down why that is false, and how you can be an anarchist and support capitalism.

A surprisingly short read that punches you right in the gut. This book will change the way most people see government and authority, I would argue for the better.

This is a great piece libertarian work and should be read by anyone concerned about a large and powerful government. So many great seeds of doubt planted from the Supreme Court to the nature of government and it's nature to protect the establishment versus the individual. All in all, a quick must read.

If you haven't read this, you don't know freedom.

Short and to the point. No time wasted, it's basically a super information dense pamphlet

This short book shows how the State's sole purpose is its own survival. It does so through lies ("we and the State are the same) and coercion. Rothbard shows there will always be those among us who are power seekers who will try to control others. I can't think of a viable alternative to overcoming those predators among us. Maybe it's just the human condition.

Nice brief overview of why the State is the enemy. However, the book does not go deep enough and only provides hypothetical examples to support its theories.

I did not like this book.

It is only about a dozen pages long. The content is accurate in my belief. It is definitely thought provoking for many people new to libertarian ideology.

A very succinct dissection of the nature of government. It explores the State’s motives and real character. It gives the reader a basic introduction to the Libertarian/Anarchistic criticism of government.

Murray Rothbard and his brief, but excellent expose of what a state is and what a state isn't. It IS indeed an immoral group of people that have usurped the ability to use force and violence to compel free people to do whatever they desire.

awesome book. definitely a must read.

Rothbard breaks down the moral case for anarcho capitalism. This will take the scales of your eyes.

The author demonstrates how the state doesn't represent the people as it claims it does, but deprives them of the resources and legitimacy to rebel or even critique it.

Excelente libro

This book lays out what government really is. Really great read, and very concise (short). Recommend to everyone. BUY THIS BOOK.Buy 5 and give copies to your friends.

Great.

You may suspect that the government destroys value. Rothbard explains that this is by design, thus revealing the motivation of most "public servants" (whether they know it or not). It follows then that 1) the government must do everything in their power to maintain social order (so that the people do not see its true intent) and 2) there is no way the government can get smaller without a catastrophe.

Good read for the informed libertarian. The new reader may not be at this level yet.

Some of ideas in the book were well known to me before, but an idea of a government and all questioning author does are fascinating and mind changing. Great short book any person should read.

Sadly, MR has not been with us for several decades, but thankfully, his writings are a tremendous legacy for their clarity of thought and boundless wisdom. This work is recommended to new readers for its brevity, but it's not short on the power of its message. A society struggles with increases in government and its crony financial partnerships that rob the citizens.

Good summary of the evils of government. Stands the test of time and should be read by all, especially in the strange times we are in now.

Easy to read but difficult to refute, a great intro to Libertarian thought.

Is the first time I am able tom see in writing what are my feelings about democracy and the effects of it. We are arriving to a time were this systems is not working any more. Different s governments in different countries are showing the same results, more and more bureaucracy that encysted in the society living eternally from the state. We are living in a system that is worst than the old monarchies. It is time to change.

A very good brief treatise of the disaster that huge modern governments have become. It is a must for anyone interested in the "anatomy" of all our difficulties today in the U.S.

"Anatomy of the State" by Murray Rothbrad is a bold attempt at unmasking the bureaucratic machine, an attempt which the author remarkably succeeds in. Quoting many leading scholars in the field, and at the same time appealing to the fundamental principles of common sense among his audience, Rothbard gets his point across in a clear and sound way. The state, he argues, is nothing more than a band of criminals that hold a monopoly on crime, including theft (taxes), and murder (military). Further, the author outlines various methods employed by the state to uphold its status of legitimacy and inevitability. This book, written by one of the most prominent opponents of governmental acquisition of power in the 20th century, is a an essential read for all liberty-loving independent citizens. It challenges the very notion of state as a necessary mean of self-determination of nations, and instead places the human being, with all his or her indelible rights, at the foundation and the top of society. It is a truly humanistic manifesto with a powerful message and a conversational tone.

this is one of the classics every citizen should read. Without question critical information from a giant. Small book, that can take hours to reread and ponder. I highly recommend this one

Great beginning reading for all the people who want to learn what the State truly is.

Another great introductory reading for those new to libertarian political thought and the philosophy of objectivism. It evokes the necessary ideas concerning the hypocrisy and dominance of the state; its disregard for its most fundamental function. Easy read for high schoolers and newbies :)

Dr. Rothbard shines in this little gem of a book. In a few short pages he will revolutionize your worldview.

A must read for anyone interested in libertarianism in its purest from. Rothbard started the Libertarian Party we know today.

Great book! Easy to understand the concepts and well backed up with plenty of references.

Decent read; pro-individual, not very pro-state.

Detailed, short and easy to read. Rothbard delivers an easy reading and is able to demonstrate his point with understandable analogies.

Rothbard is based

A great analysis of the history of democracy. It's a quick read, but very academic work. I would recommend this book to students, or to those who have an interest in politics.

Thinking... what we should do as a member of the country. War and peace are the key to victory. Everything depends on the national interest.

Short but succinct, gives the reader a good understanding of the state's real make-up.

Eye opening

Fantastic book! This concise novel refutes statism quite handily. Anatomy of the State is a must read for any libertarian or anyone with an open mind.

I have read this 3 times so far, and am sure I am not finished, should be required reading for all high school students.

This is the story of how it works.

This is a short but power-packed book. Rothbard carefully uses footnotes and references. It is concise and direct information on what the State IS and IS NOT. Well worth the price and the time.

The package came on time and everything was as expected! Would buy again.

It's something I've wanted to read off and on over the years and finally decided to

If you are already familiar with anarchist talking points you will not learn anything new from this book. If you don't, you will also not learn anything because the book is not very thorough.

A bare bones explanation of the State's process of gaining absolute power and eliminating Liberty. It is an important read.

IT looks new the copy is great.

A well laid disection of what the government is not. Very eye opener and easy to follow without use of many economic technical words.

Very quick read. Many good points made that clearly apply to governments from the past and present. Not a deep dive, but gets you to think and make connections to your current government.

Every civics course should start with this book, but then again, if it did there would be no civics courses.

Concise, easy to read, and vital in this time of police state America!

For those new to the field of political enlightenment and activation, this serves as a brief introduction into the nature behind the powers that be and their maliciousness.

Some great ideas well laid out in solid writing.

Wonderful book with the ability to cure statism.

Great read, as expected. Only reason it didn't get 5 stars in my opinion was simply because it really wasn't written, 'simply'. A lot of people will get lost in it, and miss some of more profound, and important concepts. But all in all, still a fantastic piece.

This book is as relevant today as ever before. I suggest all who fear the government to read it. It's time to bring back the American Revolution.

You might be able to finish this in one night but the insight and thoughts are brilliant and will stay in your mind forever. The references and citations are spot on and a pleasure to read. It will help you to open your eyes to the anatomy of the state!

A+

Great!

liked it

READ READ READ

very good

This work can be easily digested and provide the kicking off point for further reading. Perhaps it's greatest treasure is the timelessness and rereadability of the ideas presented.

I bought this book to better understand the "libertarian-anarchist" position from the direct words of the founder of anarcho-capitalism. (I am a "limited government" libertarian, a modern day Jeffersonian). This book was interesting, but I disagreed with many of the positions that Rothbard took. In my opinion, this book was written from the perspective of an urban, highly educated, wealth obsessed person of no religion. (Rothbard was an ethnic Jew, I believe his religious thoughts were agnostic or atheist). As a rural, working class man of European bloodline and holding the Christian religion, my worldview is quite different from this book's. Rothbard blames government for much of the wickedness in this world, instead of the wickedness of fallen man's heart. Rothbard openly he believes man to be a good being that desires wealth and safety and is willing to engage in voluntary interactions; this is not true of all men (in the opinion of the Bible, America's Founding Fathers, and myself). Rothbard views the state as the enemy, but he never explains how crimes against people and property are to be punished. Rothbard hates government, but loves the corporations chartered by government; this seems quite strange. Since this book advocates for liberty, it is much better that Republican Party garbage. If one is an anarchist, they will like this book. If one is a limited government libertarian wishing to restore this country to the U.S. Constitution and Bill of rights (from a Jeffersonian, strict-constructionist perspective), then one will not enjoy this book.

Great quick read.

Excellent!

Fast read. Clearly covers the problems inherent in the State and its on going need to grow and control. Reframes the problem in historical terms.

Well written and right to the point. I obtained a new perspective on the intellectual class and the state that I haven't considered before.

Rothbard really briefly dissects the idea of the state without being apologethic or indirect. It is agreat book for begginers on the ethics and filosofy of the state existence.

Can't say enough good things about this book.

Excellent book that gives good, practical examples of ideas discussed

Excellent summary of the basics of government with historical examples. Interesting commentary that the state is more interested in its own protection and growth than the individual's growth.

this book looks at why we have a state and why states get taken over with the plunder of the people paying to keep the state in check even sending there money to others peoples to fight their battles for them. Short but great.

This was a fantastic book. The only reason I did not give it 5 stars is because once Rothbard eloquently summarized the inherent problems of the state, he did not provide a plausible alternative. I am still looking for that alternative.

Brilliant book, the tone and word choice add significantly to its quality. Although it was very short I am happy I got it and it made for a pleasant afternoon read. This short book provides a great and short basic explanation of what the state is in reality. I do with there was a version that was more extensive, but I am not going to complain about Rothbard too much.

Epic book, i will read it again

Should be required reading for every high schooler in America. A great start to understanding the evil behind government and it's inherent force to sustain itself.

This is the first book by Rothbard that I have ever read and I must say that it is very punchy and concise! Thanks again!

Short, but sweet. Rothbard uses high level logic to show that governments ride on the backs of the people, have no legitimate authority and are parasitic.

Rothbard sums up the existence of government clearly and honestly. This book should be read throughout schools across the country!

I love these ideas, so it is a bit like preaching to the choir, but I enjoyed Rothbard's analysis of state power nonetheless. His references to other works gives me a few more items to add to the reading list. Thanks to LvMI for making this one available digitally!

Awesome

Thought provoking

A must read for anyone that wants to get into ANARCHO-CAPITALISM.

Perhaps the most illuminating 60 pages I've read in a long time. For a meaningful perspective on ANY government, read this.

Excellent and very timely answers to our contemporary problems concerning State and it's necessity

A bit difficult to follow, as the author jumps from one aspect to another without much explanation as to why.

An easy, must-read for anyone with an opinion on government.

Short, to the point, and profound. One of Rothbard's many great works.

In both diction and description, this book was right on the money. A great starting point for anyone interested in reading Rothbard's work.

Good

...in that it sums up what the state is good for: 1. Theft 2. Making progressives happy 3. ruining lives.

Book has no title on the spine. Basically a pamphlet. Still a good book though.

This book was not very good. It was more like an essay than a book. It was not very informative nor was it very interesting. SAVE YOUR MONEY

Simplicity, deep, celar.

I expected to receive a complete book regarding Rothbards ideas about the estate, but this is just a summarized version of some of his ideas. It is nice and very easy to read but just introductory.

arrived on time and as advertised. Recommended.

The great anti-statist book! Rothbard in his best. Nobody can worship the state after reading it. One of my best books. Higly recommend.

Grandsons book.

I like to know the content of the books to which commentators refer. But it seem unlikely that these ideas would appear on mainstream media.

Rothbard's Anatomy of the State lays bare the true nature of government. A succinct primer that would be a textbook if the school system were not a coercive State monopoly.

this book is very thought provoking and paints a wonderful picture of the modern state. A must read for anyone who cares about freedom and the rights of individuals.

That lacks historical backing and has little foundation to stand on. Full of interesting ideas but not a lot of reality.

Excellent. I am presently devouring evrerything by this author. His ideas bring hope of a better world. Everyone should know this.

Great

Clear, concise and most of all, absolutely correct.

This is printed wrong. Misprint I guess. It starts on page 32 of a book about corn snakes

This should be read by all libertarians

Great short book of the champion of Liberty, idol of ancaps

It is a descriptive narrative about the problems of the state, but it is far away from providing a solid theory to justify to abolish the state.

I was happy with how quickly I received this book, however, I was disappointed when I opened the packaging. The image on the front was very low-res, and the back cover was even worse, and even featured red lettering that was nearly impossible to read. I probably should of seen this coming from the amazon page, but nonetheless, I was disappointed. I have only begun to read, and so far I am very pleased. The topics are very thoughtful and even powerful. A little brief, but I should have expected that as well. I will have to read some of Rothbard's heavier material.

A number of the reviews posted here assume that the state is equivalent to the government. But a central point of this book is to encourage the reader to consider the meaning of “the state” as encompassing much more than the government. To maintain its parasitic, coercive position—while at the same time maintaining its façade as an “almost universally considered . . . institution of social service”—the government must entangle, through “the creation of vested economic interests,” the majority of its citizens and institutions. As but one example, the U.S. Internal Revenue Code is a veritable monument to these vested economic interests, with each deduction, credit, exemption, and preference being bought and paid for by the un-deputized agents of state. Thus the state is vastly more diverse and omnipresent than the government. We learn what is meant by the “state” not through a definition but through a listing of its external manifestations. “The state is largely interested in protecting itself rather than its subjects.” The state fears war and revolution. The state is coercive and parasitic. “The state has never been created by a ‘social contract’; it has always been born in conquest and exploitation.” I was expecting a book with the word “anatomy” in its title to include a systematic analysis of the parts, structures, and inner connections constituting the state that lead to and help explain its coercive, parasitic nature. That would provide the reader a fuller understanding of the problem that is the state and perhaps offer a clue to lessening the problem. Focusing only on the symptoms or external manifestations of a problem, however, is of little benefit in seeking to ameliorate it. For the same reason, vilifying cancer because it causes death is less likely to produce a cure than seeking an understanding of the causes of the disease-process itself. The author’s final comments on the state are instructive. “The problem of the State is evidently as far from solution as ever. Perhaps new paths of inquiry must be explored, if the successful, final solution of the State question is ever to be attained.” In Isaiah Berlin’s famous essay, “Two Concepts of Liberty” he argues that not all problems have final solutions and the assumption that they do can lead to tyranny. According to Berlin, “One belief, more than any other, is responsible for the slaughter of individuals on the altars of the great historical ideals—justice or progress or the happiness of future generations, or the sacred mission or emancipation of a nation or race or class, or even liberty itself, which demands the sacrifice of individuals for the freedom of society. This is the belief that somewhere, in the past or in the future, in divine revelation or in the mind of an individual thinker, in the pronouncements of history or science, or in the simple heart of an uncorrupted good man, there is a final solution.” Rothbard’s search for the “final solution of the State question” is a curious one if its path may thus lead tyranny.

I am very conservative and lean quite a bit libertarian. I strongly support small, limited government, but Rothbard takes it to the extreme. I don't feel that all government is inherently bad. Some is necessary. Rothbard, in many chapters, supports complete anarchy. If you think a little more like I do, I would suggest Frederic Bastiat's The Law and John Stuart Mill's On Liberty.

"The state is that organization in society which attempts to maintain a monopoly of the use of force and violence in a given territorial area; in particular, it is the only organization in society that obtains its revenue not by voluntary contribution or payment for services rendered but by coercion." This quote from the first chapter is perhaps misplaced, since that chapter is entitled," What the State is Not" and this quote explains what the state *is*. Which happens to be the title of the second chapter, but I digress... Seven short chapters. 55 pages. Perhaps a long essay rather than a book. But most of Rothbard's political philosophy, it seems, flows from the understanding expressed in the quote above. He dismantle the common misunderstandings of the nature of the state, demonstrating along the way that those understandings are exactly those that the force-monopolists desire to be widespread and why they link up with the intellectual class symbiotically to perpetuate the myths. So much truth in such a little tome.

If you're a libertarian, libertarian-leaning conservative, or just simply hate looking at the tax portion of your pay stub, this essay is for you. Rothbard lays out clear and understandable reasoning for his form of anarchism, or lack of rulers. His philosophy is simple; extortion, coercion and unjust violence are bad, and the State does all of these things in order to sustain itself. Rothbard's prose is easy to digest while not being overly simple by any stretch of the imagination. If The Road To Serfdom was difficult to get through, you'll have a far easier time with this. Rothbard's use of analogy and metaphor helps his ideas along nicely. For me, this book put words to thoughts I've had as long as I've been politically aware. For others it may do the same, or it may introduce them to a new way of thinking about the system we live under. I am of the belief that this should be required reading in high school, but somehow I doubt the *public* school system would include this one, for obvious reasons.

Anatomy of the State is a small (60 pages) but helpful book from the late economist, Murray Rothbard. The book occupies itself with a less than flattering depiction of the state. Rothbard begins by defining the state negatively in terms of what it is not. The state and its citizenry are not interchangeable but two very distinct entities. According to Rothbard, the state does not represent the majority of its citizenry (p. 11). Even in representative democracies as here in Canada, this is quite obvious. To give but one example, the provincial government of Ontario will force a tax increase (under the guise of "tax reform" no less), a harmonized sales tax, on the province this summer. This is a tax which virtually no one in Ontario asked for nor supports. What this example demonstrates is that although the machinery of representative democracy is present (elected representatives, votes, etc.), representative democracy itself is often missing in action. Having defined the state negatively, Rothbard defines the state positively in terms of what it is: "...the State is that organization in society which attempts to maintain a monopoly of the use of force and violence in a given territorial area; in particular, it is the only organization in society that obtains its revenue not by voluntary contribution or payment for services rendered but by coercion." (p. 11) There are two means to the acquisition of wealth in society: the economic means via production and free exchange, and the political means via seizure and confiscation. The state, Rothbard insists, is involved in the latter activity only. It is the organization of the political means (p. 15). It is a predator and a parasite on the productive citizenry. Since the state's role is to confiscate the surplus of its productive citizenry, the state must necessarily be a relatively small ruling class, else the parasite will consume entirely its host. The challenge then becomes one of persuading the mass of people to either actively endorse the state's rule or be passively resigned to the fact of its existence and heavy hand (p. 19). Rothbard outlines the different ways in which the state succeeds in this persuasion via ideology, appeasement of special interest groups, instilling of fear, identification of the state with the land (patriotism), minimization of individualism and promotion of collectivism, inducement of guilt (e.g., the private sector is greedy and materialistic), science, etc. Next, Rothbard addresses the methods that have been used to try and limit government (e.g., parliamentary democracy, constitutionalism) and shows them to fail in their intended design. In the United States, for example, the government through its appointment of judges has a de facto monopoly on interpretation of the constitution, thus enabling it to be judge of itself on constitutional matters. Rothbard ends by viewing history as a struggle between social power (man's power over nature) and state power (power over man); peaceful cooperation contra coercive exploitation. In reading this book, the reader must surely feel as though the veil has temporarily been lifted and the dark side of government seen for all that it is. But what is the answer? What is the state supposed to look like? Or should it even exist? Rothbard does not address these questions here. His purpose is only to present the anatomy of the state in its unflattering form, an objective he has accomplished quite easily. This book undoubtedly serves as an apologetic for anarcho-capitalism, by way of negation, which is an expression of free-market anarchism developed by Rothbard.

Read the Tuttle Twins to my fairy God children, ages 4 and 6. They love the books.... now I'm here buying this book :)

The basics of reading it This is an excellent but short book of about 50 pages. Like all of Rothbard’s writing, it is an enjoyable book that most people will not want to put it down until they are finished. It has extensive footnotes. Even reading those and highlighting things for later follow-up, most could finish the book in less than three hours. Skipping the highlights (they are good, I don’t recommend skipping them), most could likely finish this book in one to two hours. What it is This is an excellent, laser focused expose on government and the tools it relentlessly uses against its own people to steal their wealth in order to expand its own power to wield against its people and others. Who should read it Anyone seeking to understand how the state operates and mushrooms into controlling almost every aspect of his/her life will find the answer in this book. Further, every person will personally benefit from reading it. For many it will ignite a burning desire to learn more on the topic. For those, I recommend What Has Government Done to Our Money by the same author, The Law by Frederik Bastiat, or Henry Hazlit’s Economics in One Lesson as follow up books. They are similarly concise and useful. What it says It explains how people are lulled into excusing and accepting government actions such as murder, theft, intimidation and abuse. It reveals that the majority will not merely acquiesce to these actions, but generally will even defend them. It details that there are only two ways to acquire wealth. The first is economic means. The second way is political means. In short, the former is honest, hard work. The latter is theft and confiscation by the state against the people doing the former. It hints at the collusion that occurs between government and intellectual classes to promote the goals and agenda of government. If you ever wondered why government loves to throw money at education, here is your answer. It details how government uses fear, ridicule, guilt, scientific-jargon, patriotism, the fallacy that “we” are the government, and the Supreme Court to keep the people in check and guarantee that its powers are without limit. I could go on, but reading the book will benefit you more than reading my review. There are few books in the world that will give you more than this one.

This book serves as an easy and concise introduction to the truth about the state. Rothbard is one of few that can take very radical ideas and make the concise case for them to the average person. I recommend.

Awesome book. A must read for all liberty lovers alike. I already had a copy of this prior to this particular order, but I went ahead and had this copy sent to a friend who is in prison for a victimless "crime." In fact, he helped heal many people, even saving his own daughters life. Prior to his imprisonment, he was a minarchist; after his experience with being thrown in a cage for doing the right thing, I believe he will be shifting to full anarchism and this book should assist him in that transition as he further has the time to consider the state's crimes against humanity.

Rothbard, along with others such as Von Mises, is one of the great economic minds of the past century. Unlike Mises, however, I find Rothbard's works much more readable and generally more comprehensive. This pamphlet is no exception. His general thesis throughout the fifty odd pages is this: government, by its very nature, is an anti-productive member of society; it is unique in that it is the only organized entity in society which seeks to profit not by producing a product which is useful to society, but by coercive, even violent means of acquiring wealth from the efficient, productive members of the economy. He also points out that government is constantly seeking to find ways to stay in power and to gain more power over its people. One thing that I found most interesting is Rothbard's criticism of the US Constitution. He says the document, although a very admirable idea on the part of the founding fathers, is fundamentally flawed. He points to the checks and balance system and the fact that all three branches, legislative, executive, and judicial, are meant to be equally powerful. Rothbard then explains that the most powerful is actually the judicial system simply because it has the unique power to declare whether something the government does is constitutional or unconstitutional. Because the judicial branch is an aspect of the government they are meant to control, they alone have the power to limit, or expand, their own boundaries. Rothbard made me rethink the document, which I had formally put so much faith in, and realize that it is not the perfect way to limit the size and scope of the state. He made me realize that there is nothing, in fact, that can achieve this task. Government, once in power, will always aspire to expand that power at the expense of the individual, no matter the restrictions that are ostensibly placed on it.

This short work is an excellent overview of the nature of the state, and why the state is immoral and needs to be abandoned. Since this is more of a booklet, it would serve as a great introduction to Rothbard's thought, and to libertarian anarchism in general, before tackling some of the more dense works in this tradition.

Short and sweet, The Anatomy of the State lays out the biggest problem with democracy--at least as we implement it in our Republic.

Sharp logic, with arguments that were used as basis for many other works form different authors.

Great intro to this author. Very short and very simple to read. Interesting and easy to return to.

One of the most important books ever written (it's really an essay). Your government-run socialist indoctrination centers (public schools and state universities) would never put this on an assigned reading list, which is exactly why you need to read it. You'll never look at the State the same way again.

A must read to get your head out of the sand.

This little book changed my life. I cannot put into words the beauty of this work of intellectual art. This was an excellent primer to an entire new field of study, including Rothbard's massive textbook-style work, Man, Economy and State (with accompanied study guide by Robert P. Murphy). This is an introduction to the wonderful world of anarcho-capitalism, also known as market anarchy or just capitalism (though, the latter has been stained by association with government privilege and intervention). From the very first chapter, "What the State is Not" and the most important notion being "the state is not you," I was fascinated. This book is a must-read. Seriously. For everyone.

See title. Otherwise important book

Rothbard was a master at explaining why the state is a monster. This is a nice short summary.

As someone who grew up having a healthy or perhaps instinctive regard for government, this book provides a well reasoned disinfectant. Rothbard writes clearly and it is refreshing to read a cogent defense of the individual against the depredations of the State

This short book is a great introduction into the insidious nature of the state. Rothbard explains clearly and concisely exactly what the government's purpose is and how it effects our life. He demonstrates how throughout history, the powerful few control the productive many. As the US marches closer and closer to fascism and socialism, this book is more important than ever. Read it and pass it on to a friend. This is it important stuff! This book is also available for free from the Ludwig von Mises Institute under a creative commons license: [...]

In this provocative pamphlet, Rothbard challenges the common, benevolent view of organized government by suggesting the State is an unnatural body that rules by coercion and preys like a parasite on the freedom and property of individuals. He suggests the State perpetuates itself by using intellectual smokescreens to fool the public into believing its power is necessary and benevolent, and he presents a presents a sharp dichotomy between the interests of capitalism (private ownership and the free exchange of goods) and the interests of organized government, which he sees as no better than an organized crime syndicate. I applaud the treatise for challenging common political assumptions and offering an unusual and controversial perspective. I understand this is just a summary of Rothbard's views, but I wish it would have gone further. Suppose I grant some legitimacy to these criticisms. What then? What would Rothbard have us do instead? Also, it's a very one-sided, and therefore uncritical, attack. Rothbard never acknowledges any good that's come from organized political states, such as the establishment of civilization and its consequent intellectual products including art, science, philosophy, mathematics, technology, and the like. Sometimes, if you want to understand something you don't usually question, the best place to start is a perspective completely opposite from what you're used to. To begin examining the fundamental questions of politics and power, then, Rothbard's Anatomy might be a useful beginning to get a person asking big questions. The critique is not very sophisticated or well-developed. To develop a political philosophy, one will have to go far beyond this little pamphlet. But it might at least serve as the little loose thread that can, if pursued, ultimately unravel one's faith in the total benevolence of the state.

Rothbard has made some very compelling points and shows indisputably how a State must act contrary to it's citizens benefit.

Great text