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The Devil by the Horns

In: The Emergence of a Tradition: Essays in Honor of Jesús Huerta de Soto, Volume II

Author

Listed:
  • Axel Kaiser

    (Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez)

Abstract

Unlike anarchocapitalists such as Jesús Huerta de Soto, classical liberals believe that the devil cannot be destroyed. For classical liberals it is human nature itself what carries the seeds of its own destruction and the best we can do is to tame it. Even in absence of a state there will be violence, murder and crime by more or less organized groups. Research shows that in stateless societies, the probability to be killed by someone else was substantially higher than in societies with a state. Experience also demonstrates that it is possible to enjoy large degrees of individual freedom under a state as long as the basic structure of the rule of law is kept in place. Ultimately, classical liberals believe that freedom under the law depends on the ideas, values and traditions that prevail in society. In this context, Huerta de Soto’s anarchocapitalism constitutes a necessary and urgent ideal that keeps us from falling into the devil’s seductive and corrupting power.

Suggested Citation

  • Axel Kaiser, 2023. "The Devil by the Horns," Springer Books, in: David Howden & Philipp Bagus (ed.), The Emergence of a Tradition: Essays in Honor of Jesús Huerta de Soto, Volume II, pages 167-173, Springer.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:sprchp:978-3-031-17418-6_15
    DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-17418-6_15
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