Benjamin Tucker(1854-1939) |
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"The above named document [The Declaration of Independence] declares that 'governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed.' It therefore follows that, when any individual is governed by a government without his or her consent, that the government is exercising unjust powers. "The only pretext on which the defender of political government can make existing usurpations float upon consent is to assert that going to the polls and voting, bearing arms, paying taxes, serving on juries, etc., are presumptive evidences that those who do so consent to the institutions under which they live. As well might it be argued that, in accepting the offer of a highwayman to toss one's last penny to see whether the robber should take it or leave it, the victim thereby consents to the highwayman's occupation. As the only alternative against extortion, a man may go to the polls and vote against the proposed levy of a corrupt ring of political jobbers, recognizing the ballot- box only on grounds of expediency, as a sinking man might hug a filthy pile in the dock. An Anarchist may pay taxes to escape going to jail, or sit in a jury-box to save a friend, in accordance with his rating of the costs of given offences against his principles." "Anarchism and Consent," Liberty, December 9, 1882 (II:5, #31), p. 2. |
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