[nathanielster]

I am teaching a unit on political philosophy to my 11th grade government class and I would like to introduce my students to anarcho-capitalism. To do so I would like them to read an article on an anarcho-capitalistic utopia juxtaposed with an an article on a socialistic utopia. Any suggestions? I greatly appreciate any advice or direction on teaching these ideas and political thought in general.

[gerard.casey]

Now you’ve put me on the spot! What is the best single, short, article-length introduction to anarcho-capitalism? Give me a little time to think about this and have a look around the available resources.

By the way, does your use of the word ‘utopia’ in your query have some special significance in respect of the kind of article you’re looking for?

Gerard Casey

[gerard.casey]

Most of the material on anarcho-capitalism I am familiar with is book-length rather than article length, and so would perhaps not be suitable for your purposes. The articles I know tend to focus on quite specific aspects of AC theory rather than providing a survey of the whole. The Wikipedia entry on Anarcho-Capitalism, however, is useful. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anarcho-capitalism) It offers a brief but reasonably comprehensive survey of the whole area, plus some very useful references to both non-fiction and (which is good for students) fiction material. Also useful is Lew Rockwell’s ‘Can Anarcho-Capitalism Work?’, available at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anarcho-capitalism. The Wikipedia entry on ‘Anarchism and Anarcho-Capitalism’ situates AC in the broader context of anarchism. You can find it at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anarcho-capitalism.

[matthewmoriarty22]

Professor Casey. I will be traveling to Ireland in the next few weeks, and apart from mainstream tourist attractions in your country I would really like to delve into some of the historical sites that best represent the ancient Irish tuatha and Brehon law system. If you could name off a few locations or attractions to visit if am to get the most out of my self study of stateless societies in ancient Ireland I would greatly appreciate your help.

[gerard.casey]

Dear Matthew,

Before I respond to your question, I’d like to invite you to get in touch with me if you’re going to be in Dublin at any stage during your visit to Ireland. I am relatively free for the next few months and if you would like it, I’d be happy to meet you to talk about topics of mutual interest.

Now, to your question. Ireland is well-stocked with Neolithic remains (Newgrange being perhaps the best known), and castles (difficult not to trip over one on a ramble through the countryside). Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for Celtic monument. The Celts did not live in cities (almost all our cities, including Dublin, are Viking foundations) or, for the most part, build in stone, either domestically or monumentally. So there are few surviving Celtic remains where you could walk where Brehon judges carried out their trade; some hill forts (dún) are all I can think of. The Hill of Tara and Dun Aonghusa are the most prominent of these. The Brehon law was a social rather than a concrete institution and with the collapse of Gaelic Ireland in the early 17th century, that institution collapsed.

When I was a student of archaeology, my vade mecum was Peter Harbison’s Guide to the National Monuments of Ireland, which I found invaluable as I wandered around on my little motor bike. It’s probably still available in an updated edition; if so, it’s worth taking a look at.

I hope we get the chance to meet while you’re here.

With every good wish,

Gerard Casey

[matthewmoriarty22]

Professor Casey,

Thank you for such an informative response and accommodating offer. I cannot yet say for certain that I will be in Dublin as the specifics of my itinerary have not yet been concluded. However, I will do my best to see that I can make it to your city as I would delight in our meeting at least as much as yourself.

I have already taken your advice to seek out the Peter Harbinson guidebook of Irish monuments via a convenient purchase from amazon.com, and I will surely take a look at the dun of Dun Aonghusa and possibly The Hill of Tara as well.

With appreciation,

Matthew Moriarty

[Author]

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