Here are answers to some of the obvious questions about the what/where/why of this idea.
You are wrong. The Libertarian vision is foolish and idealistic, it will never work. I am not convinced. Your arguments are terrible. Most people don't agree with you.
It doesn't matter if YOU disagree with my beliefs about the problem and the solutions. That's one of the great things about trying to start over as opposed to changing the existing system - there is no need to convince everyone that my way is best, no need to squabble over ideal political visions. It should suffice that I think this way is better. I am not implying complete relativism here - I am perfectly willing to discuss and defend my ideas about the ideal government. But tyranny of the majority is no longer a factor, I no longer need to convince most of the people that my views are correct. For example, I no longer need to convince people who know little or nothing about the science of economics that their laws are inefficient, or people who have a moral system they wish to impose on others that I should be allowed to make my own decisions.
Wouldn't a new country be isolated and lonely?
Yes, especially at the beginning, but hopefully that will change as the society grows. One way to look at it is that for those who have strong ideological beliefs which are not shared by their neighbors, society can be as much of a drag as a lift. Like-minded people are more satisfying to be around, so as long as some of them can be persuaded to join, that should be sufficient company. Also this would not necessarily be a permanent move - steps like refusing to pay US taxes would not be done until things were going very well indeed! While the die-hards may burn their bridges, other people are welcome to go home when they need to be surrounded by civilization. Depending on interest levels and finances, a project could begin during vacation time. If its big enough to be worth living there full time, then it won't be lonely.
Given that part of the reason for nation-founding is a distaste for the laws, customs, and attitudes of one's current society, distance is somewhat necessary. Add the fact that the goal is freedom and that many big governments, such as the US, are notorious for not only restricting the freedom of their citizens but for attempting to impose their morality on nearby countries as well, and isolation becomes a necessity, albeit a regrettable one.
What should people interested in freedom do to move it forward?
Learn useful skills, like first aid, infrastructure engineering, and international politics. Build up a nest egg. Keep that hatred against your coercive government simmering. Convert fellow free-thinkers to libertarianism, and convince fellow libertarians that they aren't going to change the US. Spread the vision. Help whatever the current projects are, if you think they might succeed. Better yet, start one of your own. But whatever you do, be realistic about it. Don't pour your energy into an impossible venture.
Why do you want to leave? What's wrong with this country?
This question is discussed here.
That is an excellent question. While there is some deplorable governmental tyranny, most Americans live pretty safe lives. People with guns do occasionally come to take our property (drugs are the usual excuse), but it doesn't happen very often. Freedom entails risk, and moving to some faraway place is likely to be dangerous. This report from Freedonia shows that just looking for a place to be free can lead to bloodshed.
The question of whether it is better to live constrained or risk death for freedom is a difficult one, which many people have agonized over throughout history, so I certainly can't give a general answer. I am a realist, and I think it is worth searching long and hard for someplace relatively safe, and being honest about the safety of anyplace considered.
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Last Modified: February, 2001
Patri
Friedman / patri@izzy.com