7 Comments

Thank you for this concise summary of the economics of this issue. Too many people assume the federal government is necessary for too many things (or anything, perhaps), so I think it is important to show that many states, including Texas, actually support the feds far more than the feds support them. I appreciate Bob Murphy's work on this topic, too: https://consultingbyrpm.com/common-sense-the-case-for-an-independent-texas .

My feeling is that if one state can successfully do this, then we will see others do likewise in much the same way that people are more likely to leave a boring party once they see someone else leave first. Here's hoping a ballot measure comes to pass and Texans do the right thing.

Expand full comment
author

I was not aware of Murphy's paper. He does great work. I'll read that today.

We're seeing quite a few secession movements, in various forms, across North America. They include TEXIT, the "Greater Idaho" movement, and even Alberta in Canada. But if it succeeds in Texas, it will be in spite of the republican leadership, not because of it. The Texas Nationalist Movement is really leading the effort here.

Expand full comment

Definitely some great potential here. It's unfortunate that your observation "it will be in spite of the republican leadership" is so true of most things these days. As we have seen on many issues, especially warfare and growth of government, the uniparty is very real.

Expand full comment

Well researched and written. See also "Breaking Away" from Ryan McMaken, Mises Institute, for a good summary of this topic. Individuals can begin the process now though, no reason to wait for a government-approved secession of a state, or county. I will be speaking on "Personal Secession and the Role of Entrepreneurship" at the August 9-11 Mises Club Carolinas event in beautiful Sugar Mountain, North Carolina. All important societal change starts at home.

Expand full comment
author

Ryan's stuff is great. I'll definitely take a look.

Will your talk be recorded and available at the Mises website? Really looking forward to that as well.

Expand full comment

No, since we are only loosely affiliated with the Mises Institute. We may video record talks and make available to our club members, which costs nothing to join. I will submit an article to Mises Wire on the same topic, in advance of our event in early August. Thanks for asking. Personal Secession is the lowest level of secession, McMaken makes short reference to it in his book. My talk is an attempt at suggesting practical guidelines for anyone to do this now to put more distance between their lives and businesses and government, all peacefully and legally, of course.

Expand full comment

Looking forward to your article, Kent.

Expand full comment