Libertarian Collectives

I often hear objections from statist conspecifics that the libertarian ideal is "every man for himself", and I confess that some libertarians I have known seem to dream of such a state of affairs. But there is nothing about libertarianism that precludes collective action or the formation of groups for mutual aid or any other reason. In fact, I expect that a move to a more libertarian society would be accompanied by a proliferation of collectives. As the state retreats, other institutions of civil society would have more room to flourish. Where the state is all-encompassing, it seems at times that nothing matters except the individual and the state, and other institutions, such as families, wither away into irrelevance.

In a free society, voluntary associations and social institutions would be able to develop more freely and to evolve to meet the needs of members. They would have important functions that are now usurped by the state and would compete to perform these functions.

The form of the family might well be quite different in a free society. There would probably be a multiplicity of forms, many of which would be quite different from the"traditional" family now ostensibly favored by the state. We tend to forget that the "traditional family", to the extent that there is such a thing, was a strategic response to a particular set of social and economic circumstances and that, in the absence of coercive interference, the structure and function of the family will change to meet changed conditions. Extended families may become more cohesive with more significant expectations and obligations, especially if the family holds property for the benefit of its members or serves as the basis for mutual assistance.

Churches would probably be strengthened by the reduction of the state since many of the functions of caring for the poor and other charitable works would likely fall to religious organizations. Congregations might well serve as a form of adopted extended family for many people in this age of geographic mobility. Education may become a bigger part of the ministry and mission of churches, and this help make churches an even bigger focus of community life.

Neighborhoods might become more cohesive as neighbors might find it desirable to know more about each other and to collaborate in securing needed services.

Far from being a world of "every man for himself", I expect that a free society will be made up of a variety of strong, healthy collective institutions. The man who is "for himself" alone will be impoverished and insecure compared to his neighbors who are actively engaged in their community.