Oppenheimer's Classic: The State
Someone in a comment box the other day mentioned that Mises.org had not yet posted Franz Oppenheimer's The State. That is fixed. It's interesting how easy it is to overlook sometimes the most obvious additions. Of course this is the great book that inspired Albert Jay Nock, who inspired Frank Chodorov, who inspired Rothbard, who inspired you. So this is your heritage and the root (in modern times). It is a thrilling book. I would love to see someone compare the four chief works in this tradition: FO, AJN, FC, and MNR. Was there any lost knowledge along the way? Was there improvement and in what way? Good material for an extended paper.
There are many other new works in literature but I wanted to note this one in particular.
![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_e.png?x-id=63871e35-bc9b-4bce-adf6-7f02f9e311b0)
Comments (6)
Marcus
Great news , i was wondering why it wasn´t in the mises library but i found the german version on the net. :)
Published: November 7, 2009 6:03 PM
Rafael Hotz
Mr. Tucker, you guys have to deal with the publishers to put online books such as "Anarchy and the law", David Beito's work, Long&Machan's work, libertarian movement needs it!
Published: November 7, 2009 6:46 PM
newson
thanks for the fix.
Published: November 7, 2009 11:36 PM
David
I sent this to an email to Jeffrey, but I feel like asking it here as well (that way everyone will know how stupid I am =D)
On page 68 he says:
"The moment when first the conqueror, spared his victim in order permanently to exploit him in productive work~ was of incomparable historical importance. It gave birth to nation . and state~ to right and the "higher economics" With all the developments and ramifications which have grown and which will hereafter grow, out of them."
If this statement is correct, is it proper to deduce that "rights" are actually a product of a person's usefulness to the group - that without any inherent usefulness, a person has no rights? If that's the case, isn't the bestowing of "rights" (a seemingly endless ceremonial occurrence for one minority/unfortunate group after another) simply a recognition by the ruling class that this group of people is now useful to them?
That's a chilling view of the concept of rights, and certainly one I had never considered. It also makes the desire to "protect our rights" appear to be counterproductive, as it only ensures our continued subjugation by the political elite. But if we are not fighting for our "rights" what in the heck are we ever fighting for?!
Again, Jeffery, thanks a ton for posting such a thought provoking work.
Published: November 8, 2009 6:38 AM
Alexander S. Peak
Mr. Tucker,
Thankyouthankyouthankyouthankoyuthankyou!
I so want to read this book!
Curious, I see the LvMI selling a copy of The State with an introduction by George H. Smith. Is there any reason the LvMI version is not available on Mises.org? Perhaps this is another instance of copyright law rearing its ugly head?
Mr. David,
Although I have not yet read The State, I cannot help but to think that Oppenheimer is referring to statist privilege, which has by some been referred to as "right," rather than actual human rights as we conceive them.
Yours,
Alex Peak
Published: November 8, 2009 1:29 PM
Aaman
Thank you for this rare book - we have been having some recent struggles with the notion of democracy and the State over in India - mostly at the states level, while ever greater power is either arrogated to the federal government or squabbled over by the venal state governments.
I wrote an article on this today, somewhat influenced by the readings of this august site/school:
Published: November 9, 2009 1:45 PM