Quote by Ludwig von Mises

It is important to remember that government interference always means either violent action or the threat of such action. The funds that a government spends for whatever purposes are levied by taxation. And taxes are paid because the taxpayers are afraid of offering resistance to the tax gatherers. They know that any disobedience or resistance is hopeless. As long as this is the state of affairs, the government is able to collect the money that it wants to spend. Government is in the last resort the employment of armed men, of policemen, gendarmes, soldiers, prison guards, and hangmen. The essential feature of government is the enforcement of its decrees by beating, killing, and imprisoning. Those who are asking for more government interference are asking ultimately for more compulsion and less freedom.

Summary

This quote emphasizes the inherent nature of government as the use of force or the threat thereof. The author argues that government funds, acquired through taxation, are only collected because taxpayers fear punishment for non-compliance. The quote asserts that government ultimately relies on armed enforcement - policemen, soldiers, prison guards, and executioners - to maintain obedience and ensure the implementation of its policies. Therefore, the author cautions that advocating for more government intervention ultimately seeks to increase coercion and reduce personal freedom.