Reddit reviews Anarchy Unbound: Why Self-Governance Works Better Than You Think (Cambridge Studies in Economics, Choice, and Society)

I'd check out Anarchy Unbound by Peter Leeson. Unlike a lot of other Anarcho-Capitalist works, like Machinery of Freedom or For A New Liberty, it's much more empirical, looking at historical examples of privately-provided governance and showing their effectiveness. It's much better, at least for debating purposes, to be able to point to an actual rather than a hypothetical society.
Here's a lecture on the book, and here's a Cato Journal article that summarizes the book's points.

>Show me an example of a system like this working. I dare you.

https://www.amazon.com/Anarchy-Unbound-Self-Governance-Cambridge-Economics/dp/1107629705

https://www.amazon.com/Private-Governance-Creating-Economic-Social/dp/0199365164

https://www.amazon.com/Invisible-Hook-Hidden-Economics-Pirates/dp/0691150095

https://www.amazon.com/Not-So-Wild-West-Economics/dp/0804748543

https://www.amazon.com/Machinery-Freedom-Guide-Radical-Capitalism/dp/1507785607

https://www.amazon.com/Art-Not-Being-Governed-Anarchist/dp/0300169175

There is also a whole ton of economic literature out there about groups who resolve disputes using game theory, or long term contracts, things like that, instead of relying on a central governing body with a strong threat of violence.

> ancap system already had a chance to prove itself well over 100 years ago

So using your logic then, the state 'had a chance to prove itself' until jim crow racial segregation laws were ended, and it failed (up until that point). Therefore, there was no civil order?

I think a better way to look at it is, analyse it a bit further down rather than just purely looking at what system it was - look at what sort of outcomes come up when you have people with more economic freedom, versus what outcomes when you have people with less economic freedom.

There are many examples of anarchy working better than you might think. Here's a recent book by Peter Leeson with some great examples http://www.amazon.com/Anarchy-Unbound-Self-Governance-Cambridge-Economics/dp/1107629705/

Peter Leeson is an obvious addition to your list. Anarchy Unbound is a great pop econ book that's accessible to anyone.

Anthony De Jasay is one the most smartest yet underappreciated libertarians I guess. Just look up on his books. Besides that Edward Stringham and Peter Leeson are important figures. I always liked Bruce Benson's works. You should also read his article enforcement of property rights in primitive societies

This article on wild west is excellent. It's based on their book Not So Wild, Wild West

I mentioned Peter Leeson, his article on pirates An-Arrgh-Chy is a different perspective on organization outside the state, his book on same subject, The Invisible Hook is a must read. Also his article on Somalia, Better off Stateless: Somalia Before and After Government Collapse is perfect.

And this is another article on law and justice by Bruce Benson.

David Friedman (ancap) has told of a conversation he had with his father Milton (moderate libertarian / classical liberal), in which he asked his father what he thought about anarcho-capitalism, and Milton said something to the effect of "private governance might work, but probably wouldn't," whereas David thinks it would "probably work, but might not."

I tend to side more with Milton. In addition, I think some form of welfare (e.g. M. Friedman's negative income tax) could be desirable.

The problem is supporting the nightwatchman state obviously presupposes a state with certain abilities w.r.t. how to control resources, what types of activities citizens are allowed to do, etc. We know from experience that even the limited state has a tendency to expand and abuse its powers and public choice explains why. So I think even the minimal state will probably turn into something I wouldn't support.

On the other hand, there's a lot of potential for abuses in anarcho-capitalism as well. So ultimately, it's an empirical question. We have pretty decent empirical evidence democratic capitalism is extremely effective at raising standards of living. We have very little comparative evidence anarcho-capitalism could work (although there are some good studies in that area). So I tend to side with classical liberalism.

Awesome, let me hook you up:

Murray N. Rothbard's Ethics of Liberty, the indepth treatise on liberty in a society without the State. And the audiobook.

Chaos Theory by Robert P. Murphy (Audio). Shorter work on the principles of liberty and expands on the economic aspects.

Anarcho-capitalism Primer videos playlist. There are about 4 or 5 shorter than 10 minutes for you to chill. And there are the in-depth, one-hour lectures for when you are in between the books.

Rothbard's For a New Liberty: The Libertarian Manifesto. Rothbard poured a lifetime of research and all his intellectual energy to makes an overwhelming case on most matters of social concerns to explain society without the Nation-state (Audiobook).

The Machinery of Freedom by David Friedman (e-book) and (audiobook). Friedman uses economics and utilitarian concerns to discuss how society would improve with liberty and without the State.

The Market for Liberty by Morris and Linda Tannehill (audiobook.) Excellent and very argumentative, with many interesting illustrations and discussions on several topics of society and economics.

Huemer's Problem of Political Authority. It is a work on political and moral philosophy, with some treatment of psychology.

Leeson's Anarchy Unbound. Peter Leeson is a legal scholar and his work documents historical and contemporary legal practices and teachings and how they apply to a society of liberty.

Christopher Chase Rachels' A Spontaneous Order. Inspired by the work of Hans-Hermann Hoppe on argumentation ethics as an ultimate foundation for liberty. First five chapters available as audio.

For a more complete list see Anarcho-Capitalism: An Annotated Bibliography by Hans-Hermann Hoppe.

When you read one of them, I suggest for you to write up a short post on your favourite subjects. It is a great way way to have productive discussions. Don't forget to tag me ( /u/anon338 ) so that I can enjoy it also.