…and the state's enemy is a well-grounded and life-sustaining common culture.

Notes Towards the Definition of Capitalist Culture, By Terry Hulsey

I was asked by a long-time online friend to comment on this post by Hulsey.  A worthwhile read – every time I went through it I found another gem.  I hope I do it a bit of justice with this review.

For those who want a very brief comment: I agree.  For the rest, you will only have to suffer through a few hundred words.

Let's get right to the punch line:

The humane activity formerly designated as "culture" has been emasculated with the advent of the modern state.

I would modify slightly: the advent of the modern state has only, could only, and as sure as night follows day will certainly become reality with the emasculation of a common, generally accepted culture.  For this we can thank cultural Marxists (I prefer cultural Gramsci-ists); libertine libertarians carry this water for the state as well.

What will the capitalist culture be like in general? …Common law and traditional usage will supplant the poison of revolutionary positive law.

Consider what this means: inherently "common law and traditional usage" suggests the thing known as "conservative" culture – whatever happens to be "conservative" in a certain locale.  This is a necessary (but I would argue insufficient) requirement to achieve a society without a state.

What do I mean by "conservative"?  A culture tomorrow that is not noticeably different than the culture today; "common law and traditional usage."  This "conservative" approach minimizes the possibility of increasing conflict drive by a radical change in the culture.  Need examples be offered?  I hope not.

This does not preclude evolution – it only precludes radical change by fiat and force; in other words, no room for positive rights; no room for culture-destroying advocacy or actions.  Call this non-libertarian if you like, yet you will never move toward a libertarian society without this requirement.

This is a "necessary" requirement, but not "sufficient."  A common culture minimizes the possibility for conflict, but not every "culture" is sufficient to sustain life – therefore, inherently, not every culture has a future.  Given that a society without a future will eventually devolve into violence, not every culture is conducive to minimizing potential conflict; such cultures will always demand a state to provide security.  Always.