How to explore Scott Alexander's work and his 1500+ blog posts? This unaffiliated fan website lets you sort and search through the whole codex. Enjoy!

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2 posts found
Jun 16, 2023
acx
35 min 4,807 words 296 comments 245 likes podcast (35 min)
A review of Njal's Saga explores themes of justice and freedom in medieval Iceland's anarcho-capitalist society, comparing it to modern legal systems and other classic works. Longer summary
The review discusses Njal's Saga, a medieval Icelandic epic, focusing on its portrayal of the early anarcho-capitalist society in Iceland and its complex legal system. The author humorously compares the saga to a Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney game due to its numerous lawsuits and legal proceedings. The review explores themes of justice, freedom, and the transition from a revenge-based society to one governed by law, drawing parallels with other works like The Eumenides. It also reflects on the saga's relevance to modern debates about justice and social order. Shorter summary
Nov 13, 2017
ssc
39 min 5,431 words 444 comments podcast (39 min)
Scott reviews David Friedman's book on unconventional legal systems, exploring how different societies have developed unique ways to enforce laws and resolve conflicts without centralized government. Longer summary
This book review explores David Friedman's 'Legal Systems Very Different From Ours', which examines various historical and contemporary legal systems that differ significantly from modern state-run systems. The review highlights how these systems, from medieval Iceland to Gypsy communities, solve problems of law enforcement and conflict resolution without a centralized state. It discusses the economic incentives and cultural evolution that shape these systems, and how they often rely on community enforcement rather than imprisonment. The review also touches on the book's optimistic view of cultural evolution and its relevance to current debates about police and government reform. Shorter summary