In the second half of The Dark Knight we learn that Bruce Wayne, aka Batman, feels bad about being a private law-enforcer. (I hope this is not a plot-spoiler for anyone.) He thinks that the citizens of Gotham City should trust their government to be the sole provider of enforcement services. He even throws a fund-raiser to further the political career of the District Attorney.

Bruce should read Anthony de Jasay's article, "On the Monopoly of Rule Enforcement" in the Spring 2008 issue of The Journal of Private Enterprise. Then maybe he'd feel better about his own caped crusading.

De Jasay could be describing Gotham City before Batman's arrival:

[S]tate monopoly of rule-enforcement leads to soft, sluggish, and ineffective punishment. As a consequence rules will be poorly enforced, and public order and the security of person and property undermined.

Of course, the thorough corruption of the police force by organized crime, as depicted in The Dark Knight, only reinforces these problems.

Further on, outlining the possibilities for re-introducing private law enforcement, de Jasay could be describing Batman's unofficial cooperation with Police Commissioner Gordon:

There would be no need ... for any explicit acknowledgment that the state is turning a blind eye. Success would be more likely if the rise of private enforcement happened by tacit occupation of the ground by private initiatives and by its tacit acceptance by the former monopolist.

And then there's this remark, which could be describing The Dark Knight himself:

It must, of course, be borne in mind that private enforcement of public rules requires some private muscle, some private willingness to bear the inconvenience and risk of self-help and reciprocal aid, and no doubt also certain social skills in carrying out enforcement and imposing punishment.

Two more comments (spoiler alert) on the movie below the fold.

If Batman had learned not to concede the exclusive right of punishment to the state monopoly, he wouldn't hesitate to kill the Joker when he has the chance. Killing the Joker would be completely justified, the Joker having demonstrated beyond all doubt that he is a standing lethal threat to each and every other Gothamite. Not to mention that he can escape any prison (or asylum).

The late Heath Ledger as the Joker is a shoo-in for Best Supporting Actor.