A 21st Century Introduction to Agorism


Agorism is a practice of civil disobedience through “counter-economics” by which one avoids State harassment and thereby lives a more peaceful and prosperous life.

This is a strategy for living free. By avoiding interactions with the State, and instead partaking in entirely voluntary exchanges and associations with other agorists, we may completely own ourselves rather than have our output of labor and products stolen from by the State.

This reduces our contribution to corruption, bureaucracy, civil rights abuses, and ultimately, WAR.

Stemming from the Greek root word “Agora”, which refers to “outside markets”, these terms; agorism, agorist(s), & counter-economics were coined by Samuel E Konkin III (SEK3) in his New Libertarian Manifesto and further explained in his book The Agorist Primer; Sam also referred to practitioners (agorists) as the “Libertarian Left”, though I reject this arbitrary labeling as I believe that anarchism is not a part of the so-called “political spectrum” nor the false paradigm of “left vs right”.

Many self-labeled “right”-ists also self-label “agorist” and therefore it cannot legitimately be claimed by either/any “side”.


“Malum in se” v “Malum Prohibitum”

Actions can be wrong because they’re immoral/unethical, & or “wrong” because they’re prohibited.

If the State wanted to crush virtually all organized crime in a given area, they simply must lift all bans on the products & services these “criminals” deal in, and open black & gray markets up to full competition. By not doing so, governments essentially garauntee that only “bad” people (who do not fear government retribution) will take the risk to be part of these markets. (The reasons the State does not do so is a topic that could & should be covered voluminously in other essays.)


What’s the difference between Agorism and Anarcho-Capitalism? Do you have public goods in Agorism?

So, these are my two main questions about Agorism. “What’s the difference between Agorism and Anarcho-Capitalism?” Is Agorism just a method? What’s the main difference? “Do you have public goods in Agorism?” Or is everything private property? If you have public goods, how do you define them? Finally, what’s the best book about Agorism? I know that’s a lot more than two questions, but if you could answer just the two questions in the title, i would be a pretty happy man! Thank you all.

Agorism is a tactic, a means to an end, not an end of itself.


Agorism is a libertarian social philosophy that advocates creating a society in which all relations between people are voluntary exchanges by means of counter-economics, thus engaging with aspects of peaceful revolution. It was first proposed by libertarian philosopher Samuel Edward Konkin III at two conferences, 

The term was coined by Samuel Edward Konkin III and comes from the classical Greek word ἀγορά (agora) referring to an open place for assembly and market in a πόλις (polis, ancient Greek city states)

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