Learning from a "third-world" society

One of the most important tales I've encountered in a long time, and one worthy of a lot more study and distribution, was described as part of a paper presented by Spencer Heath MacCallum at the 2007 ISIL conference, and reprinted by the Mises Institute. Many libertarians, especially those who consider themselves anarchists or mini-anarchists, are aware that Somolia has been without government for some time now, and is doing quite well. This paper describes just how well, but also introduces us to the remarkable "Rule of Law" that is traditional in Somalia... the Xeer.

I've written many times about the American justice system, which is enormously expensive, crudely punitive, and eminently corruptible. Read and consider MacCallum's description of the Xeer, and get envious as hell, because this poor society, despite being forcibly colonized and interfered with, has long maintained a government-free justice system that makes ours look uncaring, brutal, and backward as hell.

The book, The Law of the Somalis: A Stable Foundation for Economic and Social Development in the Horn of Africa, by Michael Van Notten, is available online and in hard copy from several sources. I intend to write more about this, after more study, because this subject is one that should be spread as widely as possible.