In civics, Minarchism, sometimes called minimal statism, is the view that government should be as small as possible. Many minarchists consider themselves part of the libertarian tradition, and claim that what they call minarchy continues the traditions of classical liberal philosophy. Minarchists are opposed to anarchism, believing it naïve and overly simplistic.

Minarchists often disagree on government's ideal size. Radical minarchists usually agree that government should be restricted to its "minimal" or "night watchman" state functions of government (e.g., courts, police, prisons, defense forces). Some minarchists include in the role of government the management of essential common infrastructure (e.g., roads, money). Others, in a stance sometimes labeled a "slippery slope", include much additional infrastructure (e.g., schools, hospitals, social security). Some of these minarchists, in a manner more pragmatic than principled, tolerate the government's current domain and consider it more urgent to prevent the expansion of government than to reduce its role. Minarchists are generally opposed to government programs that either transfer wealth or subsidize certain sectors of the economy.

Some minarchists explain their vision of the state by referring to basic principles rather than arguing in terms of pragmatic results. For example, in his book Anarchy, State and Utopia Robert Nozick defines the role of a minimal state as follows:

"Our main conclusions about the state are that a minimal state, limited to the narrow functions of protection against force, theft, fraud, enforcement of contracts, and so on, is justified; that any more extensive state will violate persons' rights not to be forced to do certain things, and is unjustified; and that the minimal state is inspiring as well as right. Two noteworthy implications are that the state may not use its coercive apparatus for the purpose of getting some citizens to aid others, or in order to prohibit activities to people for their own good or protection."

Other minarchists instead use utilitarian arguments. They might use theoretical economic arguments, like Ludwig von Mises's contribution to Austrian economics, or statistical economic research, like the Index of Economic Freedom.

Prominent minarchists include Benjamin Constant, Herbert Spencer, Leonard Read, Ludwig von Mises, Friedrich Hayek, James M. Buchanan, Milton Friedman, Ayn Rand, John Hospers, Robert Nozick.

See also

• Capitalism
• Libertarianism
• Classical liberalism
• Night watchman state
• Objectivism
• Libertarian party

External links

Minarchist Organizations

• The Reason Foundation
• International Society for Individual Liberty
• The Foundation for Revolutionary Enlightened Emancipation
• BureauCrash