There is a clear distinction between the market and violence.  There are two ways to satisfy wants.  Either by voluntary exchange or violent expropriation.  The first is the economic means, the second is the political means.  It was first described as this by Franz Oppenheimer.  One who intervenes with the economic means is an invader of those freely acting.  As Menken noted, “one who preaches doctrines he knows to be untrue to men he knows to be idiots…one who listens to what these idiots have to say and then pretends that he believes it himself.”

Under the economic means, nobody rules anybody.  Under the political means, few are the rulers and many are the ruled.  In other words, few are the masters and many are the slaves.   If people are freely acting, social utility will be maximized.  The use of the political means will reduce social utility.  It is impossible that it can be raised or even remain the same.  Under the economic means, people operate in perfect harmony with everyone else.  No one is harmed under the economic means.

The nonsensical argument has been put forward that using the political means is really voluntary.  The support is one of passive resignation.  Even if you vote for the winning ticket, you may be voting for the lesser of the evils—but one must be picked.  The difference boils down to personal opinion of their personalities.  There is not a fundamental difference.  They may differ on the details and then exaggerate it like there is free discussion.  There is not.  It is really a one party system.

There will need to be some measure of coercion.  There will always be criminals as long as human nature is what it is.  They must be dealt with appropriately so cooperation can continue.  Fourier, Marx, etc., think it will be a utopia—it is the dominion of one group over many groups.  This initially happens through conquest.  After conquest, ideas are issued to secure itself from revolt.  “It has always happened that tyrants, in order to strengthen their power, have made every effort to train their people not only in obedience and servility toward themselves, but also in adoration.”

References

Murray Rothbard; Power & Market

Franz Oppenheimer; The State