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Prepare yourself, this is a very long reply!
David, nowhere in anarchist literature does it say there can be no authority over an individual. It argues there can be no legitimate authority over an individual without his prior consent.
Let’s take an example. Suppose Medic is a real estate developer. He buys a tract of land, puts in roads and sewer and power, plats the development into lots and begins to build houses.
Up to this point he is the sole owner of everything on the development. He devises covenants every potential buyer must agree to before he will sell.
One of the covenants says no home owner may ever leave his automobile on the driveway overnight, it is required to be put in the garage. Any home owner that leaves his automobile on the garage overnight will face the following consequences: First the homeowner will be issued a letter reminding of the covenant. Second time the auto will be towed at home owner’s expense. If there is a third breach of the covenant the auto will be towed, confiscated, sold at auction with the proceeds going toward maintenance of the neighborhood.
High Stick Harry is interested in buying, but that covenant is a huge sticking point. He just bought a new 4X4 and he prefers to leave it out. Medic says “sorry, but that is a covenant, no exceptions.” Harry, outraged, says “screw you” and buys another house in a different development, one that does not have such a requirement.
But I so love the neighborhood and one house in particular I don’t care what the covenant says I want the house. I sign the papers agreeing to abide by every covenant put forth.
The contracto stipulates that all disagreements will be arbitrated by the ABC Arbitration Company, with all appeals going to the XYZ Arbitration Company.
On the morning after the third time I leave my car in the driveway overnight I come out to find it gone, with a note on my front door explaining what has happened, and to contact ABC if I dispute the decision.
In what way is that different from how a governmental authority would handle the issue? The difference is High Stick Harry doesn’t fall under its purview. I didn’t abide by the contract to which I freely agreed, something I agreed in advance to accept. Harry told Medic to stuff it and lives happily ever after with his 4X4 leaking oil all over his driveway.
That’s how a free society could look.
