To lovers of fantasy literature, J.R.R. Tolkien is a legend. His world of Middle Earth has been immortalized by Peter Jackson’s cinematic retelling of the Lord of the Rings. Tolkien was a brilliant man who spent much of his adult life as a professor of philology at Oxford University. In addition to his literary genius, Tolkien was also a strong supporter of personal liberty. This article will attempt to examine a very specific area in which Tolkien’s political views seem to spill over into his world of Middle Earth. The phenomenon known as the “Night Watchman State,” can arguably be seen through the characters known as the rangers of the north and their defense of the Shire.

The Shire is home to a race known as Hobbits. They are small and enjoy comfort, but they also have a strong sense of independence. The Shire is almost anarchical in its political structure. Aside from an elected mayor, who holds a mostly ceremonial position, the only other group that resembles a government institution is the Shirriffs. It is a voluntary position that is limited to only twelve members at one time. The job of a Shirriff is to keep watch within the shire and make sure strange folk and menaces are kept at bay. Despite this lack of governmental structure, the Shire is a very peaceful place, which despite not being a utopia demonstrates that voluntary interaction is a very successful model.

Another factor that has led to the flourishing of the Shire and is the Rangers of the North. The Rangers are known as the last remnants of the Dunedain, a noble race that traces its roots back to the lost kingdom of Arnor. They are grim and gypsy-like people who the common folk do not trust. Though their kingdom no longer exists, they still maintain the responsibility of defending the borders of the land. If it wasn’t for the Rangers, the Shire wouldn’t be the peaceful and independent place that it is. In secret and for no reward they patrol the perimeter of the Shire keeping everything dangerous and evil out. 

Tolkien’s Rangers are essentially unknown to the people of the Shire, yet, without them, it is unlikely that the diminutive hobbits would be able to keep the evil outside their borders at bay. The role of the Rangers is very similar to the minarchist ideal, known as the “Night Watchman State,” whose only function is to defend the natural rights of the people. These rights include life, liberty and property. This form of limited government is the least intrusive known to man, and due to the voluntary nature of the Rangers, one could even argue that they operate within this minarchist/anarchist framework. 

Regardless of whether the rangers are classified as minarchist or anarchist, it is clear that they are night-watchmen of some kind. It is very significant that the most important place in Tolkien’s fiction is a place where liberty is thriving. Tolkien once wrote to his son about his libertarian views:

 “My political opinions lean more and more to Anarchy (philosophically understood, meaning abolition of control not whiskered men with bombs)…  the most improper job of any man, even saints (who at any rate were at least unwilling to take it on), is bossing other men. Not one in a million is fit for it, and least of all those who seek the opportunity”. 

Tolkien believed in individual liberty and voluntary human interaction. The Shirriffs and the Rangers demonstrate how he believed that the “Night Watchman State” was a legitimate form of government that could lead to lasting prosperity. 

About the Author

Voluntaryist, Neo-Anabaptist, Jesus is Lord. “May have been the losing side. Still not convinced it was the wrong one."

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