Orthodox economics models defense as a public good provided by a central nation state. This approach abstracts away from the diverse institutions and processes individuals use to provide defense in the actual world. This paper frames defense as a polycentric system whereby dispersed groups of...

Many classical liberals believe in the need for a minimal, “nightwatchman” state to provide protection against internal and external threats. From this perspective, a muscular and centralized government-run national-security state is necessary for a free and liberal society. At the same...