Re: Anarchy Books

[Jim Burnes <jim.burnes@ssds.com>]

On Thu, 15 May 1997, Bill Frantz wrote:

> At 2:22 PM -0700 5/14/97, Tim May wrote:
> >The meaning of anarchy, and how it differs from chaos and random killings,
> >has been discussed many times. David Friedman's "The Machinery of Freedom"
> >is a good book to start with. Bruce Benson's "The Enterprise of Law" also
> >discusses how lawlessness is not at all a necessary part of "no rulers"
> 
> For anarchy in a fictional setting I recommend two books by Ursula K.
> LeGuin.  "The Dispossessed" and "Always Coming Home".
> 
> In a lecture several years ago in San Francisco, she said of the two books
> that in "The Dispossessed" I set out to describe an anarchy.  In "Always
> Coming Home" I just let it happen.
> 
etc...

I would also recommend the classic Heinlein work,
"The Moon is a Harsh Mistress".  As an example of self-organizing
anarchy/panarchy and general libertarian views it has no equal in
fiction.  At this point Heinlein was still at the top of his game.

Very enjoyable and thought provoking read.

Of course, most of you have probably already read it.

I suppose somebody will start talking about Rand here, but I found
her writing a little too strident.

jburnes