Rational Anarchy Publishing-1993   Lazarus Long 
                                                  Lazarusl@vaxxine.com


The Rational Anarchist
in
Today's Economy
     
     In the economic system of today's society the person
who does not leave a paper trail, of credit cards and
cheques, is a rare Avis indeed. If one examines that
individual's behavior, one will notice that he fits the
definition of the RATIONAL ANARCHIST.
     By leaving no paper trail, the rational anarchist makes
it difficult for officialdom to notice him, and that is
precisely the aim of the rational anarchist. For, by being
invisible to the system, he can be free to live and to
enhance the ease that he twists the tail of the state.
     The mechanics of his invisibility are simple, as befits
his principles, but effective. He does not use credit and
seldom uses cheques for purchases or services. He also
avoids the mainstream economy by doing as much of his
business in the underground economy as possible. He will use
the barter system as a preference to cash and cash if he has
to, but avoids all attempts to having his transaction on
paper. The avoidance of credit enables the anarchist to
blend into the background but total avoidance of the
mainstream economy draws even more attention than total
participation. The rational anarchist is well advised to
have some visible means of support preferably in a low or
medium income job that allows some flexibility in working
hours. This will satisfy the state that he is just another
harmless drone while allowing him time to earn undocumented
income in the green market of the underground. By doing this
he keeps the taxable income to a minimum and avoids the
paper trail of tax shelters, retirement funds and the like.
     The Rational Anarchist tries to use different forms of
identification and tries to have at least three different
names with which to make his transactions. One piece of
identification should be reserved for his aboveground
employment and for any official contact with the State and
its functionaries. Two different names with separate
addresses should be used for his underground market
activities. These should have separate addresses that will
result in any tracing attempts leading to forwarding
addresses. The anarchist should, if possible, retain a
fourth identity that is used only if he has suddenly to
become an unperson. This is unlikely to be needed in today's
political climate but may be needed if there is a further
shift to the left or a reactionary swing to the far right in
the future. In both cases the government, either a
paternalistic socialist/communist government or a militarist-
-fascist dictatorship, would take harsh action against the
rational anarchist who by his very existence is a threat to
the stability of the government.
     The rational anarchist's best warning system is
attention to public attitudes and opinions. The anarchist
should be aware that shifts in the opinion of the public
will precede action by the state from six months to two
years, giving ample time to the rational anarchist to adjust
his public posture to remain invisible or to make the
necessary adjustments to his economic position. The rational
anarchist should make use of the electronic media as well as
the press to keep abreast of the government's official
posture. He should also make use of the on-line services to
monitor the financial press, as they often can provide an
early warning to upcoming shifts in government policy that
is hidden behind the public mask.
     The rational anarchist should always maintain a safe
location that he can flee to with his new identity if he is
forced to become an unperson. This safehouse does no
necessarily mean that he purchase two homes, although, if
one has the resources, it would be nice. He should, however,
endeavour to not be dependent on fleeing to the safety of
friends. Doing so puts his life and liberty in the hands of
others and even if his friends are steadfastly loyal, it
puts them at risk of official notice.
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