User:Tetracide/sandbox

While some minarchists argue that a state is inevitable, others justify the state on the grounds that it is the logical consequence of adhering to the non-aggression principle. Philosopher Ayn Rand, a prominent advocate of minarchy, makes the same conclusion, arguing that "if physical force is to be barred from social relationships, men need an institution charged with the task of protecting their rights under an objective code of rules." Rand then limited the scope of such a government to a military, police, and court system. Robert Nozick in Anarchy, State, and Utopia argued that a night watchman state was the only political framework that protects individual rights. All minarchists agree that all governments should only be large enough to protect the rights of the people and nothing more.

The issue of taxation is polarizing among minarchists. Some minarchists support taxation on principle or see it as a necessary evil to address the free rider problem, while others believe it is morally wrong. Ayn Rand is notable for her opposition to taxation, while also holding that the elimination of taxation in a society should occur gradually. Another polarizing issue among minarchists is whether citizens should have to pay the government to enforce their contracts.