Anarchy, State, and Utopia

By: Robert Nozick

Narrated by: Kevin Stillwell

In this classic work, award-winning philosopher Robert Nozick offers a “complex, sophisticated, and ingenious” (The Economist) defense of libertarianism

First published in response to John Rawls' A Theory of Justice, Robert Nozick's Anarchy, State, and Utopia has since become one of the defining texts in classic libertarian thought. Challenging and ultimately rejecting liberal, socialist, and conservative agendas, Nozick boldly asserts that the rights of individuals are violated as a state's responsibilities increase—and the only way to avoid these violations rests in the creation of a minimalist state limited to protection against force, fraud, theft, and the enforcement of contracts.

Winner of the 1975 National Book Award, Anarchy, State and Utopia remains one of the most philosophically rich defenses of economic liberalism to date. With a new foreword by Thomas Nagel, this revised edition introduces Nozick and his work to a new generation of readers.

Critic reviews

"No contemporary philosopher possesses a more imaginative mind, broader interests, or greater dialectical abilities than Robert Nozick."—Harper's

"Complex, sophisticated and ingenious."—The Economist

"[Nozick's] powers of argument are profound, and his insights are at times staggering in their brilliance."—New Republic

"A major event in contemporary political philosophy...[Nozick] is always stimulating; an open-minded study of what he has to say could be a healthy tonic for romantic leftists."—Peter Singer, New York Review of Books

a classiic of political thought

you might not agree with everythjng but you would be wrong to no agree with a lot of it.
one thj g is sure, Nozick was a great thinker. his arguments are well constructed and intellectually honest that can not be dismissed easily

Quality Content

This audiobook is full of quality content and good points. Narration not the hottest of reads though.

joyfully ignorant or joyfully heinous

I find it rather interesting that Nozick doesn't touch upon Hobbes considering how independent of states he wants his readers to be. The flippant disregard Nozick has for the loyalty towards hlthe state speaks of a very corrupt state, yet his proposed solution is a darwinist slaughterfest of communities, and the individuals living in those communities. His protective agencies sound very much like mercenary companies. What prevents them from acting like such? other protective agencies?Nozick also seems to disregard the western revolutions that so enshrined the freedom of the individual, in favour of lower taxes. Who needs roads is one of his flippant comments.

even compared to the revolutionaries of the 1840's Nozick's vissions are unimaginative and misrepresented.

Nozick is a true Sophist, who has no regard for others in his philosophy. But if you are healthy, wealthy and intelligent, Nozick might be the Sophist for you

Well done, but not ideal for scholars

I liked the reader, but some of the text was changed (“the reader” becomes “the listener,” for example), which is not ideal for a student or scholar who wants the original text.

The Best Political Philosophy Book I've Read

Robert Nozick hits on everything that one could imagine in trying to create an ideal State. The subject matter is superb, the narrator is great, and the length is spot on. If you're interested in political philosophy then Anarchy, State, and Utopia is a must read. Well worth it, 5/5.