[This article is a continuation of How Anarchic Market Forces (And Not the State) Created Civilization]
The epoch following the Neolithic Revolution in 10,000 B.C. was characterized by unprecedented growth in human population, culture, technology, and trade unrivaled in all of human history. The natural emergence of ideas and technology through entrepreneurial innovation and market processes over many years of natural selection led to the creation of the necessities of advanced civilization–agriculture, husbandry, pottery, medicine, metallurgy, trade, law, and money. States, as we consider them today, were conspicuously nonexistent.[1]
While some social stratification based on ability, function, or gender existed, on the whole, Neolithic societies were much more egalitarian than those found today. Most societies were centered around the family and the village, with some even looking down on excessive accumulation of wealth. Likely, there were wise elders or elites that emerged in each village based on reputation and respect, who adjudicated any possible disputes between community members; but they were not held to be a separate, superior class. The marvels of archaeological sites like Çatalhöyük, Abu Hureya, and Ain Ghazal in Ancient Mesopotamia are testaments to the success of voluntary relations and market exchanges. Based on the evidence found within these sites, it is accurate to say that human civilization predates the State by 4,000 years.
Some of the earliest States to be established were Arslantepe and Uruk, in the form of powerful cities dominating a surrounding hinterland. The “great” empires of old, Egypt, Babylon, and Assyria would model themselves on these Sumerian structures. Contrary to whatever fashionable methods are proposed today, a State can only arise through a very specific three-step process: through conquest, establishment of institutions, and ex post facto justification.
A brief comment on why theory and first principles are most important for libertarians to explain to nonlibertarians.
Law, order, stability, trade, property-rights, writing, pottery, agriculture, these are all elements that we strongly associate with “civilization.” The mainstream paradigm that we are all taught in history is that the great ancient civilizations flourished because their leaders were “wise” and “virtuous” governors of their people. The great empires of old had constructed such wondrous public works, transportation systems, and law codes under the sage-like guidance of the imperial State.
But new empirical evidence, backed by libertarian economic theory shatters this paradigm. In fact, each and every one of these facets of civilization were developed naturally, through anarchic forces long before States. In fact, human civilization pre-dates the State by over 4,000 years. Let us investigate the fascinating truths uncovered about the Neolithic Revolution.[1]
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So, you want to debate us Free Market Anarchists (FMAs)? You want to “prove us wrong,”" knock some sense into us,” “teach us a lesson about the real world?” Well step right up then, we welcome any challengers! But be forewarned, lest a potentially constructive debate degenerate into a hubbub of strained emotions (or friendships), a refusal to engage in future debate, or you becoming one of us.*
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