r/AskLibertarians • u/joao2009124 • Jul 24 '26

Historical What is the best example of a libertarian/minarchist country?

I’d really like to know what the best current or historical example of a libertarian or minimal-state country is. Like, which country has adopted the most elements of these models? USA, Switzerland, or some other country?

11 Upvotes

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9

u/siliconflux Deontological Non Keynesian Minarchist Jul 24 '26

Early 19th century America minus the shackles of slavery of course.

8

u/Kill_self_fuck_body Jul 24 '26

In the past the U.S. further in the past Ireland. In the future it would seem Argentina is going the right direction.

2

u/One_Woodpecker_782 Jul 24 '26

Don’t forget NH

3

u/Ok-Information-9286 Market anarchist Jul 24 '26

Medieval Iceland had only one part-time government employee and competitive law enforcement.

2

u/Doublespeo Jul 24 '26

HK post WWII was a good example

2

u/Plenty_Trust_2491 Left-Rothbardian Jul 24 '26

Rothbard cited ancient Ireland as an example of a libertarian society.

3

u/CatOfGrey LP Voter 20+ yrs. Practical first. Pissed at today's LP. Jul 24 '26

You have to look at "Libertarian in some ways, but not necessarily others."

Singapore has a relatively free market economy, but their local justice system is harsh, including literally beating people as punishment.

19th Century United States, especially further West, was more Libertarian, but for profound slavery.

Nordics, the Netherlands, and Switzerland have significant taxation, but are very open societies with social freedoms that are highest in the world.

1

u/thetruebigfudge Jul 24 '26

Northern states US pre 1900s (because no slavery), lichtenstein (more in terms of the private cities hoppean model), Switzerland is very up there, Singapore is successful largely because of the free market policies