Noun
night watchman state (plural night watchman states)
(political philosophy) Government that is limited to a bare minimum of functions, usually just military, police, and courts.
Synonyms: minarchy, minimal state
Coordinate terms: nanny state, welfare state
night-watchman state (plural night-watchman states)
Alternative form of night watchman state
night-watchman state
The Night Watchman State has been replaced by Highway Robber States – governments in which no asset, no contract, no domain is safe from the fleeting whim of politicians. James Bovard