Dim on Nostr: In From Aristocracy to Monarchy to Democracy, Hoppe put this in my head on the very ...

In From Aristocracy to Monarchy to Democracy, Hoppe put this in my head on the very first page: What happens when society allows or mandates ANY transfer of ownership (of anything) by any means other than mutual consent, even if 'legal' such as taxes or court order?

If a thief's cost of punishment is less than the value of the goods stolen: more thieves. 'Minor' crimes in very liberal cities, Banking, etc. Much worse if you're not even allowed to resist the thief!

If the courts can reassign ownership, the political class has a license to steal anything they want. Thieves will become 'lawmakers' and people who want free stuff will lobby for favorable new laws. (Ayn Rand explained the 'moochers' very well.) There will also have to be laws passed against self defense against such theft. 'Gun control' = only the takers can have guns.

People can be scared into supporting all this. 'Pass this law unless you want more children MURDERED.' More and more theft will be justified over time.

There is also the party whose property was taken from them against their will. What will they do besides complain or move on? Eventually, everyone has their own last straw.

And there are the people on the sidelines watching. What happens when you see that nothing you have is truly yours? What if you look around and see other people taking whatever they can get ahold of, with no consequence?

That's just what popped into my head at first blush, now I can read on and see how much better Hoppe fleshes this all out! :)