Such a Strong Word: "Do You Hate the State?"

I recently read an old article written by the late, great, "enemy of the State," Murray N. Rothbard. The topic was political motivation. To paraphrase Rothbard's question regarding motivation: "are you motivated by hatred for the State?" In his opinion, it would be best if you answered yes.

Written in 1977, Rothbard seems driven to frustration at the passive attitudes of self-proclaimed libertarians. People will damn the government all day and all night, and agree that government causes more harm than good. Yet these same people seem to have little disgust when We The People solve problems of government with more government-like standing in the kitchen and shrugging as grease is tossed onto a grease fire. The situation seems to remain the same today, save for a Federal State that has bloated wildly in the past 30 years. (That's a lot of grease bursting into flames.)

As he saw things, the lack of passion is due to many libertarians with want of hatred for the State. And the fact is, there are indeed many libertarians, even outright market-anarchists, who simply believe that a smaller Government would be better for the economy; and no government would be best. Thus, these people are not motivated by outright contempt and hatred for the State and everything that it stands for. They are just motivated by a desire for stronger economy and better future for family. In other words, they aren't motivated by hate for the State as much as they are propelled forward by love of family and community.

I understand Rothbard's point. Complacency doesn't get us anywhere. Visualizing how nice things would be is a good starting point; we need imagination. But we also need logical, consistent action. However, does hate need to be the motivator? Frankly, hate just doesn't get me out of bed in the morning. Love gets me through the day better, and with fewer health problems. And I don't think I am alone on that sentiment.

From my experience, hatred is among the emotions that have lead to some of the worst lines of thought and action in my life. When left unchecked, hatred leads to fear and despair. Even on a global scale, hate leads to terrible decision-making, rash action, and war.

Because I am of the opinion that the Political Class uses hate and fear and despair as a matter of practice, I want nothing to do with them. I want to seek a society based on love, on voluntary activity, and trust. Therefore I don't want to go along with the very emotions that the State tries to use in order to manipulate members of the Private Class: hatred and fear and despair.

Without a doubt, there seems to be a lack of passion; although I can sense that passion is beginning to build. I believe that freedom begins with the Individual, and then the family, and then the friends, and then the community-moving from the Individual outward. Therefor I, as an individual, need to become the change that I seek. Hate is a bad starting point. I start with love, and trust, and charity.

Source:

"Do You Hate The State?" by Murray N. Rothbard. Lew Rockwell. 2005. 11 Dec 2009 http://www.lewrockwell.com/rothbard/rothbard75.html>. The Libertarian Forum (Vol. 10, No. 7), July 1977.