> For existence proofs, plural, consider the Nordic states. They're more state than many, if not most, yet they're widely regarded as among the "best", even by

> For existence proofs, plural, consider the Nordic states. They're more state than many, if not most, yet they're widely regarded as among the "best", even by objective measurements. That's also what I had always heard, but surprisingly, it's precisely backwards. [1] > Contrariwise, consider Somalia. That's about as least-state as you can get, and yet it's somehow not the very model of civilization... That's a straw man. Small government people are not calling for anarchism. Anarchists are calling for anarchism. (Some self-styled anarchists claim to be in favor of small government; they should just be dismissed.) > but it's by no means axiomatically so. Any assertion to the contrary is ideology. All scientific progress is attacked in this way at the beginning. [1] http://www.economist.com/news/special-report/21570840-nordic-countries-are-reinventing-their-model-capitalism-says-adrian http://www.economist.com/news/special-report/21570840-nordic...