Alternative Institution: Witness Protection

I have thought of a half-baked solution to the witness protection problem:
how can we protect people who fear for their lives because they "know too much"? Have the witness record the incriminating information which he believes threatens his life, keep it in a confidential file offshore, and make it known to everyone that his murder (or simply his death) will trigger the release of the file (to the press / police). That way the crooks will want to keep the witness alive.

One problem is that somebody who *wants* the information released will then be incented to murder the witness.

Another problem is that it may not be quick or easy to record everything one knows. This is especially true of people with many years in the "business", who "know way too much". Then again, uncertainty about whether one's incriminating deeds are in the file may be enough deterrence to murdering the witness.


How do we make sure murderers believe that they're worse off killing you?

The institution would publicize the names of all people under its protection. Anyone will be able to check that on the Internet.
As long as the institution responds to the deaths / murders / disappearances reliably, professional criminals would know about it. If enough high-profile people go for this, their cases will be seen, and this will become a well-known mechanism. But perhaps one problem is getting over this initial bump.

Anarchocapitalism in Somalia (in Portuguese)

In an attempt to be fair to the statists:

Anarchocapitalism in Somalia (in Portuguese)

It's a semi-cliché that "socialism can't work in our species", that it might work if our species were more altruistic or law-abiding (conforming), "ant colonies are socialistic", etc. However, such a system seems to work well for Norway. Sure, they have tons of oil. (tangential link: Harvard prof says oil, not Islam is the curse of the Middle East)
Another anecdote I've heard is that in remote gas stations in Norway, there wouldn't be anybody to help you, so they left the cash register open for you to help yourself to your change. This was way before they had surveillance cameras. This must indicate either a lack of selfishness or a universal obedience of the law.

P J O'Rourke, a CATO-affiliate writer of funny books, wrote a chapter about Sweden ("Good Socialism") in his book "Eat the Rich" (fun, easy read with some good points). He said it was a land devoid of crazy people, but that despite the comfort, its future didn't look very bright, since they are under serious debt, and people aren't motivated to work. But is that really true?