August 15, 2025

Every law is contrary to liberty.

Jeremy Bentham (1748–1832), English philosopher, Principles of the Civil Code (1843), Jay p.37

How can any two or more people manage their relations with each other without a set of rules—whether implied, spoken, or written—which define mutual expectations and thus constrain each other’s liberties to one degree or another? And is this not your job, and the purpose of any legislation you may support—to direct others to behave, or not, in a particular manner?

Still the best example of the ultimate absurdity of libertarianism—and even more so, of its first cousin, anarchism—is when the stoplights at a busy intersection fail to function. Until the police arrive, the only solution is that a conscientious citizen steps forward to direct traffic, at her own peril. Failing that, all orderly movement is thwarted.