performs them efficiently. He uses the example of a coercive monopolist to show that when protected from competition by force, the quality of services will tend to decline, and consumers will be deprived of alternative choices. The State has gained a monopoly of the commanding heights of the economy and society, including police and military services, provision of law, judicial decision-making, the mint, the power to create money, and the means of delivering mail. The State relies on control of propaganda and the use of violence to maintain its power. Rothbard argues that taxation is theft, as it is the compulsory seizure of property of the State's inhabitants, or subjects, through coercion. Then, Rothbard refutes the argument that voting in democratic governments makes the government and all its works and powers truly voluntary. Rothbard argues that even if the majority of people endorsed every act of the government, this would be majority tyranny, not voluntary action. Voting can hardly establish "majority" rule, much less the voluntary consent of all. Furthermore, taxes are levied on everyone regardless of whether they voted or not, so voting cannot indicate any sort of endorsement of the government's actions. Rothbard also discusses Lysander Spooner's view that elected officials are not truly representatives of the people, and that voting does not establish any sort of voluntary consent to the government. Rothbard concludes that the State, which subsists on taxation, is a vast criminal organization far more successful than any "private" Mafia in history. Finally, Rothbard explains the necessity of ideology for the State and how it has always been used to convince the majority of the public to support the State. Rothbard argues that the State needs to employ ideologists to convince the public that what the State does is necessary and vital. The support of the majority is necessary for the continued existence of the State, and this support can be passive resignation or active enthusiasm. The State's age-old alliance with intellectuals, who weave the apologia for State rule, is also explained. The State controls education on the lower levels through the public school system, certification requirements for private schools, and compulsory attendance laws. In addition, the State has virtually total control over radio and television. Rothbard concludes that the State needs the intellectuals to provide them with power, status, and wealth that they cannot obtain in voluntary exchange. Chapter 23, "The Inner Contradictions of