Minarchy

Minarchy, or minarchism, is a political philosophy within libertarianism that argues for a government limited to the minimal functions necessary to protect individual rights. The central justification is to safeguard life, liberty, and property. Advocates contend that the state should provide essential services such as national defense, police, and a court system to enforce contracts and resolve disputes, while leaving most other activities to private markets and voluntary associations.

The concept is often described as a night-watchman state. Proponents contend that certain public institutions are needed to prevent harm and enforce rights, yet that expansive government powers risk overreach and coercive taxation. Critics argue that even a small state can be prone to growth, capture by special interests, or inefficiencies, and that private arrangements may not adequately supply public goods or protect rights in all circumstances.

Historically, minarchy has roots in classical liberal thought that emphasizes limited government and individual rights. In modern philosophy, Robert Nozick’s Anarchy, State, and Utopia defends a minimal state as the most legitimate authority compatible with rights protection. Some libertarians justify a minimal state as a practical compromise, while others, such as anarcho-capitalists, argue for abolition of the state altogether.

In practice, no nation operates as a pure minarchy, though some jurisdictions pursue constitutional limits and laissez-faire policies aligned with minarchist ideas. Critics contend that even minimal state power can be exercised coercively or expanded over time, highlighting ongoing debates about the proper scope and legitimacy of governmental authority.

See also: libertarianism, anarcho-capitalism, night-watchman state, rule of law.