[–] individualin1984 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
The only purpose of the government should be in the prevention of any group (including itself) from overpowering and individual.
[–] TherealScrable 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
The government is made out of people who are supposed to know and be representatives of the people they lead.
Which means, the government is supposed to lead the people, or better, the people they lead into a more prosperous future. It also is supposed to watch over made agreements, uphold order and protect the people. What is order you may ask, order is the opposite of anarchism. Although the government is not supposed to interfere into every little detail of the life of the people, instead it is supposed to keep agreements, prosecute criminals, protect the people and do everything possible to ensure the best possible present and future.
[–] 1moar 0 points 2 points 2 points (+2|-0) ago
To control the masses.
Serious answer? There is no point, they're all illegitimate. There is absolutely no need for a "ruling class" to sit and look down their noses at the rest. Like they're some special breed of human refuse that is somehow better than the rest of us simply by chance of their birthplace.
[–] GabeNewell1337 ago
That isn't every government. Have you heard of Taoism? It belives the government should be hands off. How it was approached in China proved to make the citizens of ancient China prosper. It IS a government. What you're talking about has yet to be done for at least a hundred years!
[–] GOMAD_OR_GFYAD 0 points 3 points 3 points (+3|-0) ago (edited ago)
The most fundamental purpose is for the mutual defense of its members. In a state of nature where no states or nations or borders exist, mutual defense is the first and most primitive form that could arguably be called government.
Next is to serve as an independent forum to resolve disputes between members and dispense justice when one has wronged another.
Third is to protect the rights of the members, including property rights. This is tied in with #2, #2 and#3 are the foundations of a legal and judicial system.
Everything else is basically built off these three duties and how to best perform those duties.
[–] lettersofmarque 0 points 3 points 3 points (+3|-0) ago (edited ago)
To organize the defense of the village and manage resources in times of crisis. People can manage their own family and business just fine without regulation. The collective effort is needed in times of fire, flood, famine, and invasion. Otherwise government should fuck off.
To all those saying people will degrade into animals without the threat of punishment: you are wrong and your view of humanity is pathetic. Most people live without any such forced civilization. Thousands of rural counties with only one deputy and millions of rural people thrive with peace and community with limited government. Would you really kill your neighbor and take his shit without the fear of punishment? Obviously no, you just want to be left alone be to mind your business. Most people just want to be left alone to pursue their own endeavors - no fear of punishment required.
[–] TherealScrable ago
Certain people would do that. It requires long-term thinking to not do that. In the end you do everything because it benefits you.
[–] lettersofmarque ago
It requires long-term thinking to not do that.
No, the innate disposition of people is kindness and compassion, not murder, rape and robbery. You have to be taught to be a predator, be feeble minded, or have brain damage.
so·ci·o·path
ˈsōsēōˌpaTH/noun • a person with a personality disorder manifesting itself in extreme antisocial attitudes and behavior and a lack of conscience.
[–] Waiyu_Dudat 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
The fear of punishment causes people to act more irrationally and emotionally. The more a person is exposed to punishment and fear of punishment, the less stable they become and are more likely to continue punishing others. People don't leave peacefully through threats of punishment. People live peacefully through educated negotiations. "I know what I need and I have what you want, let's trade." Win-win.
[–] [deleted] 0 points 12 points 12 points (+12|-0) ago
[–] [deleted] ago
[–] GOMAD_OR_GFYAD 0 points 2 points 2 points (+2|-0) ago
What the fuck does anything you mentioned your post have to do with the one you replied to? Authoritarian tools? Did you miss where "liberty" was included in the list of things that the government is supposed to protect?
[–] lettersofmarque 0 points 4 points 4 points (+4|-0) ago
Next time the Right needs to use authoritarian tools.
Huh? More government control to combat government control? Dangerous, the beast cannot be unmade. That is why we are here now. We allowed it to grow too large in the first place.
[–] beren 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
The only point to having a government is to force other people to do things they don't want to do.