The appeal of statism

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Don't ever imagine that I don't understand the appeal of statism.

Statism can be warm, comfy, and cozy. Snug like a baby's blanket. You don't need to worry about what to do. Just do as you're told. No responsibilities. No doubts. You don't need to think for yourself. Just let the nice man take care of you. Reality is what you are told it is. Just believe.

All that is required of you is that you ignore the archation- the initiation of force and the violation of property rights- which is the defining characteristic of statism.

In a way statism is like a good drug. Just go with the flow, and enjoy the feeling, without fear.

It covers every situation so you don't need to bother yourself with thought.

It's funny because one complaint I have often heard about libertarianism is that it claims to cover every situation. That it leaves no space for nuance. That it takes away your need to consider every situation separately, to see if it fits.

Well, do you really need to agonize whether you should stick your tongue in a light socket every time you see one? Or might you have already worked out for yourself that it's not a good idea?

You probably also expect that if you release a brick over your foot, it will fall. It may hit your foot, and if it does, it will probably hurt. Do you really need to start from scratch each time you are holding a brick, wondering if it would fall this time?

Guess what- you have no right to archate. You either figured it out on your own or were told that by a libertarian at some point or you wouldn't be here reading these words, but if someone told you, I hope you didn't simply accept it at face value. I hope you instead examined why it is true.

Once you figure out why it is true, and why it remains true, you don't need to stress over it every time the issue raises its head. Once you figure it out for yourself, you see there is no need to worry yourself silly every time you find yourself in a situation where you have the opportunity to initiate force or violate property. You have no right to do so. Not ever. But you can choose to do things you have no right to do if you think you must; and then pay the price. And, it always comes at a price.

So, I guess statism is easy, and the opposite is hard. Abolition / Voluntaryism / Abolition / Libertarianism requires you to think. To have principles. To live by those principles. And to accept responsibility. It's no wonder statism is more popular.

It's still wrong, though.

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