25 Sep 2014

Privatize the Borders, Part 2

Immigration, Shameless Self-Promotion 17 Comments

I continue my discussion of the immigration question. This diagram–and how I tweak it–may be the most important thing I contribute to libertarian evangelism. No need to PayPal me donations, a simple “gracias” will suffice.

New Map Before

17 Responses to “Privatize the Borders, Part 2”

  1. Bob Roddis says:

    If it’s all the same to you, I’ll take Peg’s lot which includes Big Bend National Park and the road from Lajitas to Presidio, Texas. Early April 2008:

    http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nTTvt431G9Y/VCRYWDG5AuI/AAAAAAAAAOI/nAJ5_i5PGtI/s1600/DSCF1035%2Bcopy.jpg

  2. Bob Roddis says:

    The first thing I said to myself when I first saw Santa Elena Canyon was that this place needs 2000 miles of razor wire and a bunch of East German border guards.

    http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mVwpavGOwcQ/VCRafpdML1I/AAAAAAAAAOU/GnJ2meMJWNE/s1600/DSCF1248.JPG

  3. K.P. says:

    Thanks Bob,

    Was that just a joke or did Ann Coulter actually advocated conquering Mexico somewhere? (I’ve never read her)

    • Bob Murphy says:

      It was intended as a joke but it wouldn’t surprise me if she did. She has said things far more “shocking.”

  4. Major.Freedom says:

    Great argument Murphy.

    Think about anarcho-capitalism right up to the level of individual lands, and your argument is all the more definitive.

    Compare that to states. With a state border where the state allows in the dregs of society, destructive activity will have the entire country to roam about causing havoc.

    If on the other hand the new entrants are socially beneficial, they’ll be able to roam about over more land, adding value all along the way

    • Major.Freedom says:

      I know you were referring to individual’s lands, but the diagram looks like countries named Jim, Sue, Bob, etc. It is to make a point of course, but in reality if the individual “Pam” had open borders, then frpm this map zoom level, we would not even see a change.

      • Dave s says:

        Yea, not sure privatizing just the borders would work. I’d prefer to not have countries at all and privatize everything. Interesting side benefit: the worst dregs in DC.would need to get real jobs

  5. Jan Masek says:

    Gracias

  6. Philippe says:

    so I see that you have dropped all talk of legal rights, as that would blow a pretty big logical hole through your spiel.

  7. Darien says:

    I’m a big fan of this diagram. Especially I like trying to decide if the second zone from the left is the magical land of Oz, or if it’s the plot of land Dr. Oz will be exiled to.

  8. Robert says:

    That doesn’t seem workable at all. So instead of having one border fence with immigration and health control, we would have to have thousands. Imagine the cost. For example, if each person is responsible for checking for disease at their border then this will create enormous problems. Instead of one check at the border, Pam will have to check the border, plus where she borders other property, Eve, Mark, Bo, Ed and Meg. They in turn will have to have a border with health checks etc with everyone who will have to have one with everyone else etc.

    The whole country will have to be divided into tiny islands each with their own border control. A task as simple as driving to your local shop could take you across five borders which would seriously hamper economic activity and trade. They would probably have to be fences and walls to enforce the border, at a huge cost to everyone.

    To be hoest, your proposal sounds like a nightmare rather than a solution.

    • Darien says:

      There are presently no fences and walls between my house and the Wal-Mart in Wasilla. Why would they suddenly appear if the government abandoned its quixotic attempt to build a giant wall five thousand miles from here?

      • Impatient says:

        There are currently no locks on my bedroom door or the drawer where I keep my wallet. Why would they suddenly appear if my landlord removed the lock on my front door?

        • Richie says:

          Ken. B. has returned.

    • K.P. says:

      “They would probably have to be fences and walls to enforce the border, at a huge cost to everyone.”

      Why?

  9. Levi says:

    You should move to Brownsville, Bob.

    Just kidding. Thanks for posting.

  10. JNCU says:

    Gracias, que el Señor Jesucristo te bendiga a ti y a tus seres queridos.

Leave a Reply to Darien

Cancel Reply