I think you have to start with definitions of state, govern, government, policy, etc.
Every collection of people has some form of governance. Policies might be unwritten or organization less formal, but it still exists at some level. The administrator, as one example, could be a judge or a community elder. The idea of this not existing naturally is pushed by those who refuse to distinguish between law and order. All of the US code regarding law, for example, was written long ago. Most, if not all, of the code written today concerns order (smoking bans, occupational licensing, etc.).
This idea of chaos ensuing without very formalized mechanisms is false. It does however, somewhat depend on a community's bureaucratic structure. I have overseas relatives in a very rural area. Formalized policing is very inconsistent and often absent. Sometimes it's quasi military or rogue military. Some situations can be a real life Hatfields & McCoys. The justice you decline to take for aggrieved parties can be the result of not wanting that party to one-up you at a later date. That mechanism is very evident in the absence of any very formalized policing. That mechanism can be a very powerful deterrent, especially when a situation spreads beyond directly aggrieved parties.
Anarchy simply does not exist under natural conditions on earth. It gets a negative rap as being about lawlessness. Even the most rudimentary of societies will have basic mores or conventions that are recognized. There is a natural order of things, even if it's crudely elementary in practice or application.
The bottom line for me then, is discussing degrees. The US has become a country of order, well beyond basic laws that most recognize.
I think you have to start with definitions of state, govern, government, policy, etc.
Every collection of people has some form of governance. Policies might be unwritten or organization less formal, but it still exists at some level. The administrator, as one example, could be a judge or a community elder. The idea of this not existing naturally is pushed by those who refuse to distinguish between law and order. All of the US code regarding law, for example, was written long ago. Most, if not all, of the code written today concerns order (smoking bans, occupational licensing, etc.).
This idea of chaos ensuing without very formalized mechanisms is false. It does however, somewhat depend on a community's bureaucratic structure. I have overseas relatives in a very rural area. Formalized policing is very inconsistent and often absent. Sometimes it's quasi military or rogue military. Some situations can be a real life Hatfields & McCoys. The justice you decline to take for aggrieved parties can be the result of not wanting that party to one-up you at a later date. That mechanism is very evident in the absence of any very formalized policing. That mechanism can be a very powerful deterrent, especially when a situation spreads beyond directly aggrieved parties.
Anarchy simply does not exist under natural conditions on earth. It gets a negative rap as being about lawlessness. Even the most rudimentary of societies will have basic mores or conventions that are recognized. These rules are outlined, are interpreted, and are enforced at some level. There is a natural order of things, even if it's crudely elementary in practice or application.
The bottom line for me then, is discussing degrees. The US has become a country of, often, irrational order, well beyond basic laws that most recognize.
I don't really follow this philosophical stuff on a deep level. I know what I know and apply it to what I see. Many people here obviously know this stuff better than I. I think its good to discuss these things, but I also think it makes sense to discuss these things in an applied way. Some of these ideas will never get past academic debate. It's still good to discuss them, but there is still only 24 hours in a day. Where do you put your energy?
Anyway, I'll listen if someone compares the concepts with real life application.
...I suggest you use the speed reading software I posted a few days ago.
This is quite a can of worms!Hope you're prepared to do a lot of reading/listening. For the books/literature people will link you to in coming days, I suggest you use the speed reading software I posted a few days ago.
I don't really follow this philosophical stuff on a deep level. I know what I know and apply it to what I see. Many people here obviously know this stuff better than I. I think its good to discuss these things, but I also think it makes sense to discuss these things in an applied way. Some of these ideas will never get past academic debate. It's still good to discuss them, but there is still only 24 hours in a day. Where do you put your energy?
Anyway, I'll listen if someone compares the concepts with real life application.
Anyway, I'll listen if someone compares the concepts with real life application.
I haven't really explored the ins and outs of it, either, but it seems to me that anarchy does not exist in a vacuum. It only exists where there is law. I think there has to be a form of law when groups of people live close together.
I think that people can self govern, and should generally self govern. Minimal government is best.
I haven't really explored the ins and outs of it, either, but it seems to me that anarchy does not exist in a vacuum. It only exists where there is law. I think there has to be a form of law when groups of people live close together.
I think that people can self govern, and should generally self govern. Minimal government is best.
All forms of anarchy that are explored and discussed on RPF (and, typically, in the liberty movement in general) are those that advocate law - albeit private law.
Private law? According to whom?
Again, my opinion, but liberty comes with responsibility. We help each other out so the government doesn't get involved. We talk to each other. "tobismom, your dog is pooping in my yard again. Can we go see if we can find the hole in the fence? I have a bit of extra here and we can fix the hole."
"Liberty person, I notice your yard is getting a bit overgrown? Is there something we can do to help?"
"Your mom is sick again? Wow. Would your little boy like to come over to play in the sprinkler tomorrow so you can take your mom to the doctor?"
If you notice, the bigger government gets, the more alienated citizens are from each other. Limited government helps people reach out to each other.