The Individual vs. the State

The paper presents the profiles of three American thinkers associated with tradition individualist anarchism. These will be: Lysander Spooner (1808–1887), Albert Jay Nock (1870–1945) and Murray Newton Rothbard (1926–1995). were involved not only in writing, but also active participants political life time. In their opinion, state, whose genesis is based on violence conquest, individual are greatest enemies. state was perceived as threat to freedom individual, it violated principles natural law, which turn constitute moral foundation society. was, therefore, opinion these thinkers, something inherently unjust, because by force against its citizens forced them obey. They did perceive history terms class struggle, a struggle between individuals society state. compared gang robbers murderers (valuing higher than however) argued that constitution bind any way, had been signed personally, government no power over one handed free units. pointed gradual appropriation (“professional criminals”) competences belonging society, opposing goals both. He distinguished aims protect justice, plunder, law has created. advocated abolition tax consumer replacement an anarcho-capitalist order private property would be foundation. Theories Spooner, Rothbard, although directed negative. At roots good individuals. For they primarily workers, for Nock, citizens, entrepreneurs owners. This fact worth emphasizing, criticism anarchism often boils down allegations radicalism utopianism, without taking into account protectionist nature. Criticism always consequence human vision should considered from this perspective. concepts root article, addition presenting positions anarchists, we pay attention positive aspects show already nineteenth twentieth century anarchists recognized certain mechanisms power, occur particular intensity today.