Abstract

This essay examines Objectivist thinking on anarchism and minarchism. Drawing on a wide range of historical and anthropological sources, the author calls into question a number of standard Objectivist positions, such as 'government is essential to protect rights'; 'only government can create objective law'; and 'government is required to create the legal basis for commerce.' He also addresses the nature of individual rights, and concludes by querying some of Ayn Rand's interpretations of history