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

Scott Alexander describes six fictional legal systems, each with unique and sometimes absurd approaches to justice and social order, exploring various legal and philosophical concepts in a creative and humorous manner. Longer summary

Scott Alexander presents six fictional legal systems in this creative writing piece. Each system is unique and explores different approaches to justice, punishment, and social order. The Clamzorians treat natural objects as legal entities, Pohjankaupunki uses mood-altering drugs as punishment, Sloviria punishes society for individual crimes, Nova-Nishistan's system is based on blackmail, Bogolia ensures equal legal representation, Sanzorre evolved into an insurance-dominated system, and Mirakoth relies on judges' subjective opinions without formal laws. The post humorously examines the potential consequences and quirks of each system, highlighting various philosophical and practical issues in legal theory and social organization. Shorter summary

Scott Alexander shares fascinating excerpts from 'Legal Systems Very Different From Ours', highlighting unique aspects of various historical and cultural legal systems. Longer summary

This post is a collection of interesting passages from David Friedman's book 'Legal Systems Very Different From Ours'. It covers a wide range of historical and cultural legal systems, including ancient Chinese law, Jewish law, Islamic Sharia, medieval Icelandic government, Somali law, English pardons, Gypsy customs, Amish communities, Plains Indian customs, and Athenian legal practices. The passages highlight unique aspects of these systems, such as unusual punishments, creative interpretations of religious law, and innovative solutions to legal problems. The author presents these examples with a mix of fascination and occasional humor, drawing attention to the ingenuity and sometimes counterintuitive nature of different legal approaches. Shorter summary

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

Scott Alexander proposes the principle 'be nice, at least until you can coordinate meanness' and applies it to ethical dilemmas and blog moderation. Longer summary

Scott Alexander discusses the concept of 'be nice, at least until you can coordinate meanness' as a principle for ethical behavior and community management. He argues that while being nice is generally a good heuristic, there are cases where meanness might be necessary. However, he emphasizes that coordinated meanness (e.g., through legal systems or widely agreed-upon social norms) is preferable to uncoordinated individual acts of meanness. The post explores the benefits of coordination in terms of predictability, stability, and reduced frequency of meanness. Scott applies this principle to his blog moderation policy, allowing discussion of ideas but prohibiting direct attacks or shaming of individual commenters. Shorter summary