Synopsis
A radical argument that the U.S. Constitution binds no one who never personally consented to it, denying the state's legitimate authority.
Core passage idea
Paraphrase · Public domainA constitution one never signed cannot bind anyone, so the government's claim of authority rests on force, not genuine consent.
It pushes consent theory to its limit to deny that any existing state is legitimately authorized.
To avoid a bubble
Pair with The Federalist Papers.
Reading note
Follow its relentless contractual logic, treating it as a stress test of consent-based legitimacy.
Best paired with
The Federalist Papers
Find this book
Reading paths that include No Treason
Compare these traditions
Liberalism vs LibertarianismLibertarianism vs ConservatismAnarchism vs SocialismSocial justice and equality vs LibertarianismAnarchism vs LibertarianismAnarchism vs LiberalismState and power vs LiberalismCapitalism vs LibertarianismAnarchism vs DemocracyLibertarianism vs SocialismState and power vs DemocracyLibertarianism vs DemocracyNationalism vs LibertarianismAnarchism vs ConservatismState and power vs AnarchismState and power vs CapitalismAnarchism vs Social justice and equalityFreedom vs State and powerLibertarianism vs FreedomNationalism vs AnarchismState and power vs Race and politicsAnarchism vs Race and politicsLibertarianism vs State and power