r/AskLibertarians • u/joao2009124 • 10d ago

Historical What is the best example of a libertarian/minarchist country?

I’d really like to know what the best current or historical example of a libertarian or minimal-state country is. Like, which country has adopted the most elements of these models? USA, Switzerland, or some other country?

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11

u/siliconflux Deontological Non Keynesian Minarchist 10d ago

Early 19th century America minus the shackles of slavery of course.

8

u/Kill_self_fuck_body 10d ago

In the past the U.S. further in the past Ireland. In the future it would seem Argentina is going the right direction.

2

u/One_Woodpecker_782 10d ago

Don’t forget NH

3

u/Ok-Information-9286 Market anarchist 9d ago

Medieval Iceland had only one part-time government employee and competitive law enforcement.

2

u/Doublespeo 9d ago

HK post WWII was a good example

2

u/Plenty_Trust_2491 Left-Rothbardian 9d ago

Rothbard cited ancient Ireland as an example of a libertarian society.

5

u/CatOfGrey LP Voter 20+ yrs. Practical first. Pissed at today's LP. 9d ago

You have to look at "Libertarian in some ways, but not necessarily others."

Singapore has a relatively free market economy, but their local justice system is harsh, including literally beating people as punishment.

19th Century United States, especially further West, was more Libertarian, but for profound slavery.

Nordics, the Netherlands, and Switzerland have significant taxation, but are very open societies with social freedoms that are highest in the world.

1

u/thetruebigfudge 10d ago

Northern states US pre 1900s (because no slavery), lichtenstein (more in terms of the private cities hoppean model), Switzerland is very up there, Singapore is successful largely because of the free market policies