Cafe Hayek - Comment of the day

Production vs. Predation: "I disagree on everything said, but particularly on the matter of police bureaus. For one, you seem to conflate the actualized with idealized police function. Police are not primarily employed in the protection of individuals; when seconds matter, police are minutes away. This illusion of protection, in some circumstances could mean the under consumption of personal protection goods, which could prove fatal. Likewise, a hand gun or mace is probably cheaper to purchase than an officer’s salary, even if costs are diffused. Moreover, the need for protection is probably overstated anyway. I don’t refrain from theft or mugging because police exist; I suspect that applies pretty broadly."