22 ways Harry Potter accidentally made me a libertarian
While Harry Potter technically ended up working for the state when the ‘right people’ gained power, the boy who lived also resisted state overreach.
Let’s get something straight: I don’t think J.K. Rowling intended to write a libertarian epic. But intentional or not, Harry Potter is loaded with moments that scream individualism, anti-authoritarianism, and skepticism of centralized power.
As a libertarian fiction author myself, I can’t unsee it.
Here are 22 ways the wizarding world nudged me toward liberty, and why The Arcane Prophecy (check out the sample if you got time) unapologetically picks up where Potter left off:
1. The Ministry of Magic is bloated and useless.
More concerned with optics than truth. Typical bureaucracy, and one you’ll see not as much in The Arcane Prophecy. But as the Arcane Elemental Academy series rolls on, it’ll emerge.
2. Dolores Umbridge is what happens when petty tyrants get power.
Regulation without morality. All law, and no justice. We’ve all had teachers like her, and they sucked.
3. Dumbledore’s Army trains in secret when the state bans real defense.
This one parallels education systems. It’s got underground skill-building and homeschooling vibes.
4. The Daily Prophet becomes a propaganda machine.
When the press carries water for the state, truth gets memory-holed. Sounds like the New York Times, CNN, Fox News, etc.
5. The Quibbler tells the truth when no one else will.
Fringe media often sees reality clearer than the corporate mouthpieces. Something we’re learning more about thanks to alt media.
6. The Trace is magical surveillance of minors.
State spying from childhood because they don’t trust you and think parents are a bunch of irresponsible idiots.
7. Harry nearly gets expelled for defending himself.
Self-defense is punished because it violates “procedure.” Sound familiar?
8. Aurors shift from good guys to state thugs.
“Just doing my job” never justifies tyranny. You see this one happen all the time in both domestic and foreign settings.
9. Snape operates as a double agent.
Working inside the system to destroy the system. Always nice to have a double-crosser or two within their ranks.
10. Voldemort’s rise mirrors how real tyrants take power.
It starts with fear, turns into fanatical support from those you’d never think would support it, and ends in obedience. Sure, the Imperious Curse was involved, but Harry proved you can throw it off.
11. Hogwarts works better when left alone.
Decentralized management > central authority interference. Yeah, Dumbledore had his critics, but he didn’t give a f*ck. And more power to him.
12. Harry’s Ministry trial is a kangaroo court.
The outcome was rigged before he entered the room. If it wasn’t for an assist from Dumbledore and Arabella Figg, he’d’ve been expelled.
13. Wand registration is a slippery slope.
Control the tools, control the people. Hell, the fact that any witch or wizard can carry a freaking wand with minimal restrictions screams Second Amendment vibes, and that’s a good thing.
14. The trio goes off-grid to fight evil.
No permits or safety nets here. Just guts, grit, and a little self-determination.
15. Private homes become sanctuaries from tyranny.
Grimmauld Place, The Burrow, and even No. 4 Privet Drive > government-run shelters. Property rights matter.
16. Fred and George resist with chaos and fireworks.
Nonviolent sabotage is still sabotage. It works, and Fred and George did more than just resist without inciting violence.
17. Muggle-born Registration Commission = identity tyranny.
Classifying people to control them never ends well. The DEI brigade will learn that lesson at some point in the 21st century, especially since it carries 20th-century dictatorial vibes. See Nazi Germany, North Korea, etc.
18. Potterwatch is pirate radio for the truth.
Decentralized communication beats state-controlled media. Special thanks to Radio Rothbard, the Tom Woods Show, Human Action, and other awesome, easily-accessible libertarian outlets for keeping those of us in alt circles sane.
19. Blood status politics is just collectivism in disguise.
Judge people by their character, not their category. Regardless of how it’s spun, judging people based on categories the state throws them into is sheer collectivism that’s led to millions of deaths over the past 100-plus years.
20. Goblins run a parallel economy.
Gringotts is private, profitable, and independent. Gold > fiat. Also, see No. 21…
21. The wizarding world runs on a gold standard.
No central bank, no endless printing, and real monetary value. Fun Fact: This was the first-ever libertarian message that jumped out at me in the series. But it took until I read Prisoner of Azkaban for the realization to kick in.
22. “Experts” deny the Chamber of Secrets exists—until it does.
Gatekeepers want control. And Cuthbert Binns sounded a hell of a lot like Anthony Fauci during the COVID crisis when he talked about the Chamber of Secrets. Then, we found out the “settled, fact-based narrative” was wrong.
Want more of this energy? My books burn down the Ministry and go to greater lengths than Rowling ever did.
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