The Utopia of Rules

by David Graeber

markets simply did not emerge as some autonomous domain of freedom independent of, and opposed to, state authorities. Exactly the opposite is the case. Historically, markets are generally either a side effect of government operations, especially military operations, or were directly created by government policy.

Modern central banking systems were likewise first created to finance wars.

laissez faire economic policies designed to lessen the role of government, they never actually have that effect.

Yet the fact remains the United States is—and for a well over a century has been—a profoundly bureaucratic society.