Anatomy of the State

The book shatters all illusions of democracy and tells about the reality as state is an oppression tool as it has been present and future.

It very clearly and briefly reveals the workings underneath a State apparatus and asks a reader to think upon concepts of Social Power of humans over nature and State Power of Humans over other Humans. This was worth exploring deeper into Psychological realms of using Power or Force for Self Expansion and survival and it's consequences and molding of one's Psychological make up. Is there a way where even nature is not hurt by Humans ? Because even Social Power of using Nature, though natural, contains few seeds of Force. I am delving deeper into Question of when use of Force is Correct and when it is not.

You will never look at the world the same way again.

"Anatomy of the State" is a short book by Murray Rothbard, which will make you – I hope – think deeply about 'the State,' its functions, motivations, constraints, and ambitions. Murray Rothbard was an American economist, economic historian, political theorist, and activist who died in 1995. Rothbard believed the private sector could perform most of the state's functions, yet he does not appear to be a Milton Friedman follower. The background is critical if you wish to understand the book and provides vital context to the writing. You may interpret the text in two ways. First, it is an honest expose of how states function. Second, you may assess the book as a cynical attack on states and their existence. I agree with a few points; for instance, he states the state fears people with independent minds and the ability to think critically. I agree with this point, considering propaganda's rise and critical thought's decline. However, I disagree when he says that states force their citizens to pay for their services, contrasting it with a more benevolent approach corporations pursue when they expect citizens to pay for goods and services. The book, however, will make you pause and analyze the state's functioning and your role as a citizen. You do not have to agree with everything he wrote, and it is vital to examine his propositions critically. The writing is terse, and the book is short, which may fool you into believing it is easy to 'consume. Do not make this mistake!

Strengthens the premise that 'power Corrupts', reiterates the question 'who governs the governors?', demystifies the concept of 'welfare state' but it's a fact that society needs rules for co-existence and the book established that the choice that is forced on the society is to pick ' lesser of the evil ' instead of ' best of the lot '

This is a 50 page bogus book of little intellectual value. Poorly written, abstract ramblings that make very little sense or connect with reality. The author tries to portray all the ills of a state without ever mentioning it critical importance for societal existence. Don't waste your money on this book.

By no means comprehensive, its good enough for anyone looking for an introductory to anarcho-capitalism. Murray Rothbard, a libertarian and considered to be the "state's greatest enemy" provides a rudimentary insight for the beginner into an economic system where the state ceases to intervene in the voluntary association between people. The book, 50+ pages long, can be finished in one sitting for most readers. The print is large and the content is annotated referencing suggestions to further readings by various authors including some from his earlier works. Imo, if one is looking to get an introduction to anarcho-capitalism, this would be a good place to start following it up by works of other authors.

It's a pamphlet and not a book. Someone has copied creative commons text, printed and made it into an item that's sold. No information provided at all about the publisher's address or whereabouts. Secondly the content itself is a convoluted rant about the State. It is described as a malignant resource consuming entity that feeds on its people without providing any value. The author goes about it with certainty and quotes from here and there to give the vapid idea some kind of academic vigour. Half of the pamphlet is filled with such citations in smaller fonts. Finally, the rant closes with no mention of an alternative structure that can provide the function of the detested State. Avoid!