Introduction

Agorism advocates for peaceful voluntary interactions via counter-economics to starve the beast of any third-party theft taken by the state. Counter-economics is the study and practice of evading and circumventing government systems, regulations, and controls, often through black market activities. Attrition is broadly defined as gradually reducing the strength and effectiveness and making something weaker over time.

I first got the idea for this article years ago when I saw this post on Twitter (now “X”) a couple of years ago about an intriguing tactic to assist with survival and oppose an oppressive government through attrition.

Subverting War for Profit

Afghan farmers would set up fake Taliban camps to lure U.S. airstrikes. Their goal had nothing to do with terrorism, but profit. After the Americans bombed these fake bases the Afghani farmers would then collect the scrap metal from the bombs and sell them black market. Afghan markets have always had a long history on an informal basis, leading people to assume tax-free commerce. My guess is scrap metal from U.S. bombs wouldn’t be sold on government-regulated markets.

One bomb costs thousands of dollars, and some bombs even in the hundreds of thousands. This strategy makes the U.S. waste thousands of munitions on nothing, using the state’s destructive actions against them and fueling an underground market.

The Morality of Attrition

While clever, there’s an ethical quandary. These farmers were arguably complicit in drawing destruction that might hurt innocent people. Although, I’m sure they chose to set up these false camps in isolated areas that had no population or traffic. Their focus is on extracting resources from those causing destruction and violence, not perpetuating it. Counter-economic attrition doesn’t seek to replicate violence. It’s about using the state’s violence against itself and turning its waste into productive resources for black and grey markets. It’s a survival mechanism within a violent statist system.

In a perfect world, violence wouldn’t be a tool wielded by governments, and peaceful economic exchange would flourish. But the reality is, as we’ve seen, states often resort to violence and control. So, what can Agorists do when faced with such a system? This is where the concept of counter-economic attrition becomes particularly relevant.

Applications In A Free Society

In an ideal world, such tactics wouldn’t be necessary. However, when a warmongering state inflicts indiscriminate harm, individuals may resort to counter-economic attrition. Here are some potential applications to use alongside this tactic:

Tax refusal: Withholding taxes starves the state’s war machine and funds are redirected towards counter-economic activities instead.
Cryptocurrency and Barter: These tools make it harder for the state to track and seize wealth enabling peaceful exchange outside of centralized control.

Agorist Production: Using state-confiscated resources or materials to create goods and services within counter-economies.

Defense: As an example, Myanmar Rebels have utilized 3D printed guns in their fight against their government, and their reliability is increasing every day; whether for individual or household defense, or for a small group.

Smuggling: Oftentimes, governments enact sanctions upon countries. Smuggling medicine & medical supplies, food, and even fresh water might be desperately needed; and would undermine the State’s inhumane efforts.

Conclusion

This strategy is not a blueprint for an Agorist society, but a stark example of actions an Agorist might take during wartime. It highlights the relentless drive for self-preservation and economic autonomy, even within systems of oppression. Counter-economic attrition is the principle of subverting the state’s structures to weaken them, fueling the growth of a freer, parallel society.