The old West was the closest we have had to minarchism or even in certain areas to anarcho-capitalism, although the absence of a strong government was circumstantial, not ideological.
- Weak or absent government: In many western territories, federal or state government presence was minimal due to remoteness and lack of infrastructure.
- Private justice and informal systems: Settlers often relied on local courts, vigilante groups, and private settlements to resolve disputes, rather than centralized state justice.
- Expanding free market: The economy was primarily driven by private initiatives, such as ranches, mines, railroads, and small businesses.
There were also great scientific and industrial breakthroughs, things of the free market.
