Semantics of Sermon

I decided to actually post something in my blog! This is the first chance I had to sit down and write. Finals just ended, and I have a two week break before summer classes start.

In the interval between the last post and this, I realized that I'm not going to be able to accomplish everything I set out to do with this blog. Depressingly, I'm just not as smart as I thought I was. I'm not going to be able to come up with original things to write about frequently. Everything in my mind is a jumble. Trying to gain some clarity is like trying to take knots out of a rubberband.

Anyway, I recently discovered the state of anarchy that exists in Somalia. Most ancaps (and obviously the people on that forum) see the situation as a positive proof of their theory. I'm still skeptical. The warlords seem to be forcing their will on the people. The people are enjoying immense freedoms, and capitalism is working it's magic; there are cellular networks and Internet access in some places! However, it is still a little too anarchical (in the "chaotic" sense) for me to jump on a soapbox and shout, "Look, you can see that the state is unnecessary!" I suggested on a thread at anti-state.com that the people need private defense agencies. Someone replied that they had them already. True, one can hire security, but I was thinking more along the lines of conflict resolution/avoidance agencies...private police in the real sense. Oh, and not having to pay tribute to the warlords would be nice.

I'm also wondering how they solve their property rights issues. I'm not going to wonder too much here.

Unfortunately, even if the society is functioning well and continues to do so, I'm pessimistic that it is sustainable given the outside forces involved. That is to say, other governments (namely the UN, United States, and Britain) will not allow a state of anarchy to persist, especially if the region is economically prosperous. I need to read more on the subject and intend to over break, before summer classes start.