Economy, Society, and History

9. State, War, and Imperialism

Lack of intelligence, lack of division of labor and violent ideologies are three factors which contribute to states, wars, and imperialism. Fighters in wars were vassals of the Lords, or mercenary groups who could be hired. Fights were frequent but small and they had rules of knightly honor. Ideological wars are the most brutal. Religious uprisings were used by princes as ways to grab properties and to form alliances. By 1648, following the Thirty Years War, the German territories had lost about one-third of their land. States grew. States as institutions have natural aggressiveness. States competed against other states in order to keep or gain taxpayers. Standing armies were created. Monarchical warfare followed. Innocents and citizens were not targeted. Many victories were attained without loss of life. The French Revolution opened up conscription. Democracy said you had to serve the state. It became difficult to stop wars. Wars became total wars. The United States has always been engaged in imperialistic aggression. Lecture 9 of 10 from Hans-Hermann Hoppe's Economy, Society, and History.

8. From Monarchy to Democracy

The transition from monarchy to democracy deals with how humans create more freedom than is currently had. The role of monarchs in the pre-state societies and their positions as heads of state since the feudal (1100-1500 AD) period and into the absolute monarchies were the more typical form of rulers. Democracies are rare events in history. Kings had been regarded as patriarchal heads of clans or descendants of Gods. They provided the functions of judge and protective warrior. Their powers were resisted by other noble men who had claims to their own lands. When the kings were established as states, it was realized that all that was required was there be a monopolist, not necessarily a king.  Kings, as owners, were better caretakers of their countries with their interest in preserving dynastic value. Democratic caretakers have little incentive to have long range interests in the capital stock and exploit resources in the short run. No individuals in democracies ever expect to be held responsible for their actions and their debts. Democracies elect the smartest bad guys. Decent people will not be elected to higher ranks. Lecture 8 of 10 from Hans-Hermann Hoppe's Economy, Society, and History.

7. Parasitism and the Origin of the State

Exploitative behavior of the state is studied. Brainwashing was required to build states up. Unlike productive activities via division of labor, parasitic activities like cannibalism, slavery, fraud and robbery did not lead to social cooperation. Stationary banditry described the institution named the state that allowed for some to benefit themselves at the expense of others. The state exercises ultimate jurisdiction in cases of conflict involving itself and the state exercises a territorial monopoly of taxation. This has been motive enough for some to create states, but why do others put up with this? The state must be a small group compared to those they exploit. The small group must base its power over the large on consent, opinion, tacit agreement and acceptance of certain ideology. The ideology still with us is the Hobbesian myth of war of all against all and the need of a single monopolist ruling over all people. But, this thesis is absurd. Lecture 7 of 10 from Hans-Hermann Hoppe's Economy, Society, and History.

6. The Production of Law and Order: Natural Order, Feudalism, and Federalism

Correlations between IQ and GDP of countries exist. Without the state, what natural order evolves? Details of the theory of private property are given as the means for society to survive. People own themselves and have never doubted that the instruments that they produce are theirs as well. This extended visibly to certain land territories. Natural order defends these basic property principles. Locations were selected by defensibility. Leaders of small communities were able to act as courts by shunning wrong-doers and directing compensation to the victim. Law was discovered, not created. Taxes in the modern sense did not exist. The king, lords and nobles established protection villages against invaders. Independent arbitration agencies would create in the process of competition valid unified law structures. Economic and social integration was completed in this natural order. Lecture 6 of 10 from Hans-Hermann Hoppe's Economy, Society, and History.

5. The Wealth of Nations: Ideology, Religion, Biology, and Environment

Ideological factors, especially comparative religions, are considered. Until 1500, China was the most developed region on the globe. Confucianism has no promise of an afterlife. There are no miracles for them. They are realistic and rational. Confucius is not a god or prophet. He is revered as a great teacher. His teachings are compatible with capitalism. Judaism produced few achievements before 1800. Christianity was not originally individualist. The ideas of Aristotle and Aquinas created the modern Christian view which then successfully made many contributions. Man is given dominion over the world. The world and truth are knowable. Wisdom comes through effort. The Catholic Church is anti-democratic, individualistic and capable of salvation. Slavery became seen as incompatible with Christian views. Christianity upholds social cooperation. Capitalism was born in Italy – a Catholic country. Private property came to be seen as a good. The Protestant religion was the most successful in production because their puritanical work ethic was the harshest. Protestantism both strengthened the state and democracies. Lecture 5 of 10 from Hans-Hermann Hoppe's Economy, Society, and History.