Anarchy, State, and Utopia

About “Anarchy, State, and Utopia”

Anarchy, State, and Utopia is a 1974 book by American political philosopher Robert Nozick. It won the 1975 National Book Award in the Philosophy and Religion category and has been translated into 11 languages. The book was named one of the "100 most influential books since the war" by the Times Literary Supplement. Nozick wrote the book in opposition to John Rawls' A Theory of Justice and in debate with Michael Walzer. He argues for a minimal state that limits its functions to protection against force, theft, and fraud, as well as contract enforcement. Nozick claims that expanding state power beyond these roles violates rights and that a minimal state emerges naturally from anarchy. He considers any further state expansion unjustified.