Leonard Peinkoff describes Ayn Rand’s view on government very well. However, two things triggered me.
1. “It is a contradiction to assert one’s right to use force as one chooses while demanding that others refrain from organizing and protecting themselves. Whoever breaks the laws of a proper government, no matter what philosophic reasons becomes thereby a criminal, and men are morally bound to treat him as such.” This is incompatible with voluntary action. She made a mistake.
2. ‘This leads to the essential function of government: the protection and enforcement of contracts, including the resolution if disputes that arise therefrom- their impartial resolution, by objectively defined laws” Why government? There have been and still are brilliant examples of voluntary negotiators.
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