Of course, there are some countries and regions that have many libertarian aspects, such as Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Liberland, and they tend to be rather prosperous.

However, obviously the reason more governments don't choose libertarian policies is because generally people who have power generally like to keep power, and even expand it. Some studies suggest that power has an addictive effect on the brain, similar to a drug. A wise man once said: "It is difficult to get a man to understand something, when his salary depends upon his not understanding it!" and so, even assuming good intentions, what politician or king would really be willing to consider the idea that his job that his job was futile, or even harmful? Persons of such integrity are rare, and I imagine, rarer still in politics.

The question "Why aren't there any libertarian countries?" takes for granted the idea that governments are here to help us, an idea which generally can only survive in certain countries, where corruption is well-hidden. In countries where children have grown up seeing their parents paying bribes, people don't have the privilege of seeing the world in such a rosy way. A phrase like "taxation is theft" is seen as an exaggeration in English-speaking countries, but in many countries, it goes unsaid, because people accept it as an obvious fact - and a sad reality.

The reason there aren't more libertarian countries is because it's hard to loosen a grip on the staves of power which have held on for so long, and it's hard to get people to see that there might be another way. Little by little, the fingers are pried from the club.

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About me

My name is Kurt Robinson. I grew up in Australia, but now I live in Guadalajara, Jalisco. I write interesting things about voluntaryism, futurism, science fiction, travelling Latin America, and psychedelics. Remember to press follow so you can stay up to date with all the cool shit I post, and follow our podcast where we talk about crazy ideas for open-minded people, here: @paradise-paradox, like The Paradise Paradox on Facebook here, and subscribe to The Paradise Paradox on YouTube, and on iTunes