[DVaut1]

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This is comparing apples to oranges. Different economies, different time preferences, different rules. You and I have probably never had to commit a crime to get something to eat; it's extremely rare in America. Even our homeless don't have to do it; they eat the food that other people throw away. In third world countries, stealing to secure basic needs is much more common, and social norms that are non-existant in more prosperous nations must exist to preserve social order.

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When De Soto talks about a respect for property laws and respect for the rule of law in general, he's not really talking about theft. Natural property systems seem relatively well equipt to prevent theft and I don't think anyone doubts that. Surely ACists have posted enough images of big guns to get the point across.