Libertarian Class Theory

Description

"Libertarian class theory understands stratification as rooted in aggression—especially the aggression of the State. In a market free from politically secured privilege, it is difficult for people to amass and keep great wealth. Unfortunately some people improve their economic positions by stealing land and other property (often in partnership with the government or with its blessing) and by using their wealth to obtain privileges from the government—monopoly power, for example—that enable them to further increase their holdings. Some people who may have become wealthy through voluntary exchange go on to use their wealth to secure privileges from the State. And some people who have acquired governmental office use their positions to do the bidding of the wealthy or to enter the ranks of the wealthy themselves. From a libertarian perspective those overlapping groups make up the ruling class." (http://www.thefreemanonline.org/book-reviews/the-ruling-class-how-they-corrupted-america-and-what-we-can-do-about-it/)