How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
I see in Lunaya Pravda that Luna City Council has passed on first reading a bill to examine, license, inspect—and tax—public food vendors operating inside municipal pressure. I see also is to be mass meeting tonight to organize "Sons of Revolution" talk-talk. (1.1)
From the very first paragraph—nay, the very first sentence—we can see the opposing sides of the political conflict. In this corner, government that desires taxes to support its services, and in the other corner, a political rally that will argue for free market capitalism. Let's get ready to rumble.
Quote #2
Wyoh smiled. "Yes, we could throw rocks. But the solution is so simple that you all know it. Here in Luna we're rich. Three million hardworking, smart, skilled people, enough water, plenty of everything, endless power, endless cubic. But… what we don't have is a free market. We must get rid of the Authority!" (2.64)
The importance of a free market is a cornerstone to libertarian ideology, and Wyoh's argument for a Luna free state hinges on this very same argument. To paraphrase, government regulating business and prices is holding Luna back from becoming Awesomeville.
Quote #3
"I can get along with a Randite. A rational anarchist believes that concepts such as 'state' and 'society' and 'government' have no existence save as physically exemplified in the acts of self-responsible individuals. He believes that it is impossible to shift blame, share blame, distribute blame … as blame, guilt, responsibility are matters taking place inside human beings singly and nowhere else." (6.43)
"Rational Anarchist" is the novel's label for its brand of libertarianism. Here, Prof outlines the political philosophy of a rational anarchist. With a lack of government and exemplified individualism, there's not much here any libertarian couldn't get behind with a picket sign.
Quote #4
"I see. Then if a man is 'John Davis,' he's a son, but if he has some other last name he's your co-husband. But a girl would be 'Jenny Davis' either way, wouldn't she? How do I tell? By her age? No that wouldn't help. I'm confused. And I thought clan marriages were complex. […]." (8.41)
The Davis line marriage is important to the novel's libertarian view because it shows the idea that government should stay out of personal and family affairs. If you want to have six wives or husbands, hey, that's on you—just do yourself a solid and spread the birthdays out a bit. (We talk about the Davis line marriage more in the "Symbols" section, if you're interested.)
Quote #5
One who checked passports did not try hard, which was well as most were counterfeit and early ones were crude. But before long, authentic paper was stolen and counterfeits were as dinkum as official ones—more expensive but Loonies preferred free-enterprise passports. (9.20)
The Loonies would rather buy a fake passport from a private dealer than fill the coffers of the Authority with official ones. Free market FTW!
Quote #6
"Okay, court has been accepted and all are bound to abide by my verdict. Let's settle fees. How high can you boys go? Please understand I'm not going to judge an elimination for dimes. So ante up or I turn him loose." (11.46)
The novel takes the free market idea to some interesting—or do we mean scary?—heights. Yes, even trials can be wheeled and dealed on the Luna free market. We'll just let you decide whether that's a good idea or not.
Quote #7
"Free hospitals—aren't any in Luna. Medical insurance—we have that but apparently not what you mean by it. If a person wants insurance, he goes to a bookie and works out a bet. You can hedge anything, for a price. I don't hedge my health, I'm healthy. Or was till I came here. We have a public library, one Carnegie Foundation started with a few book films. It gets along by charging fees. Public roads. I suppose that would be our tubes. But they are no more free than air is free." (17.80)
Let's just lay all the cards on the table: Everything on Luna is traded through free enterprise—roads, insurance, schools, libraries, nothing exists through social and public services. The idea is that you should get to decide what you do and do not pay for, instead of the government. As Mannie says, he isn't sick, so why should be pay for social health?
Quote #8
"Convince them that this new setup [is] to their advantage—emphasize benefits, free schools, free hospitals, free this and that—details later but an everywhere government just like on Terra. Taxes starting low and handled painlessly by automatic checkoff and through kickback revenues from grain shipments." (19.52)
The Chairman offers the people of Luna all the amenities that they pay for currently as social services. But the word "free" in the quote above is misleading. Taxes would have to be collected to pay for the social services, which is not the same thing as free. TANSTAAFL, it seems.
Quote #9
"You have put your finger on the dilemma of all government—and the reason I am an anarchist. The power to tax, once conceded, has no limits; it contains until it destroys. […]. It may not be possible to do away with government—sometimes I think that government is an inescapable disease of human beings. But it may be possible to keep it small and started and inoffensive—[…]." (22.52)
The Moon is a Harsh Mistress may seem like it has pie in the sky, er, space dreams. Can you realistically imagine a world operating without any governments? And the novel, through Prof, recognizes this, offering this more down to earth alternative.
Quote #10
"Special circumstances. If we ever see water and manure shipped to Luna and grain shipped back, it will be just as temporary. Luna's future lies in her unique position at the top of the gravity well over a rich planet, and in her cheap power and plentiful real estate. If we Loonies have sense enough in the centuries ahead to remain a free port and to stay our of entangling alliances, we will become the crossroads for two planets, three planets, the entire Solar System. We won't be farmers forever." (29.5)
Prof sees the future of Luna and the free market going hand-in-hand. If they can remain a free port with a free market, then they can play an important role in the expansion of humanity.