In reply to my post below, a friend asks: “Could you explain the notion of “ordered anarchy”? What is the source of the order? What maintains it?”

These are good questions, addressing an important political theory.  I will try find time soon to answer them in detail (as best I can; I understand the concept only as a layman).  For now, however, I refer anyone interested in the subject to the writings of Anthony de Jasay, the French political economist who has best expounded on the concept.  His books “The State” and “Against Politics” are brilliant – I would almost say revolutionary – arguments against the dangers of excessive state control and manipulation of human capital and social and economic markets.

A useful, brief (but free!) introduction to Jasay’s work can be found here.