In this article: Privatization, Viking Style: Model or Misfortune? author Roderick T. Long posts an compelling counter-argument to Jared Diamond’s characterization of the Icelandic Free State period as “as a nightmarish vision of privatization run amuck.”
On the contrary, it not only wasn’t it a nightmare, it was downright inspiring:
“Medieval Iceland had no bureaucrats, no taxes, no police, and no army. … Of the normal functions of governments elsewhere, some did not exist in Iceland, and others were privatized, including fire-fighting, criminal prosecutions and executions, and care of the poor.”
Even at its worst, it was no more heinous than an average day in the US:
“During more than fifty years of what the Icelanders themselves perceived as intolerably violent civil war, leading to the collapse of the traditional system, the average number of people killed or executed each year appears, on a per capita basis, to be roughly equal to the current rate of murder and nonnegligent manslaughter in the United States.”
Keep in mind, that was during a civil war that eventually led to the downfall of the Free State. However, unlike this country, the Icelanders managed to stave off such conflict for nearly 300 years.
“We should be cautious in labeling as a failure a political experiment that flourished longer than the United States has even existed.” Indeed, given Diamond’s criterion of instability, the United States cannot be called stable until it survives the year 2108. (Though one could argue that it has already failed the test: the United States had to wait only 85 years from its founding before plunging into a catastrophic civil war, by contrast with Iceland’s 290 years.)
This article is well worth reading, as it points out both the failures and successes of this historical anarchist society, as well as contemplating the reasons for both. On top of that, the “Further Reading” section at the end of the article is a treasure trove of similar works. Check it out.
[...] despite its Hollywood portrayal was actually relatively peaceful and was anarchistic in nature. Medieval Iceland is also a good example of anarchism in history. Somalia, even with its implosion of government (which is bound to cause problems if it happens [...]
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[...] despite its Hollywood portrayal was actually relatively peaceful and was anarchistic in nature. Medieval Iceland is also a good example of anarchism in history. Somalia, even with its implosion of government (which is bound to cause problems if it happens [...]
Like or Dislike:
0 
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