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Objectivist vs. Communist government?

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Whoisjohngalt

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...in practical terms and conceptual terms? Would it be a dictatorship or a democracy? Because, to uphold the rule of law, a strong government is the only way and no government is stronger than a dictatorship. On the other hand, a democracy would be a good way to let things roll without any government control over people's security threats and the national self-esteem.

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...in practical terms and conceptual terms? Would it be a dictatorship or a democracy? Because, to uphold the rule of law, a strong government is the only way and no government is stronger than a dictatorship. On the other hand, a democracy would be a good way to let things roll without any government control over people's security threats and the national self-esteem.

A dictatorship is one of the weakest forms of government. To exist as such, it has to hold the lid down on a boiling pot. It has to be a pressure cooker. The governors of such a state, must live in fear of the people it rules. A government needed, respected and useful to its citizens will have the willing support and co-operation of the citizens. Such a government can uphold law and guard rights (which is why it exists in the first place) and not be at war with its peaceful and law abiding citizens. The citizens receiving a true benefit from such a (good) government will protect and cherish it, even if a citizen disagrees now and then, here and there with a policy of government.

Bob Kolker

Edited by Robert J. Kolker
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Would it be a dictatorship or a democracy?

These terms are not mutually exclusive. Democracy is unlimited majority rule: the dictatorship of the masses. In a communist nation, the government has unlimited arbitrary power. In an Objectivist nation the government operates under strict limits and cannot extend it's own power. So the difference is not dictatorship or democracy, but limited government vs. unlimited government.

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These terms are not mutually exclusive. Democracy is unlimited majority rule: the dictatorship of the masses. In a communist nation, the government has unlimited arbitrary power. In an Objectivist nation the government operates under strict limits and cannot extend it's own power. So the difference is not dictatorship or democracy, but limited government vs. unlimited government.

The form of a Proper Objectivist Government would almost certainly be a republic. Some details could vary. Bicameral or Unicameral legislature. Will it have three distinct branches (Excecutive/Legislative/Judicial) or will it be munged like the Brits with the executive and legislative branches combined? Who will be able to vote? Will there be a property requirement? Will it have a written constitution?

The Big Question: How will it be financed. Tax may be a necessary evil. Or there could be user fees for services. However to be really kosher, except for police and army (the armed services) any other service should be obtained on the free market at competitive prices. The only monopolies I can see granting the government is territorial jurisdiction and running the armed services. In a given territory there should be only one government so there is no confusion of jurisdiction

Bob Kolker

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The Big Question: How will it be financed. Tax may be a necessary evil.

I'm not sure I understand this point. Do you mean physically, how will the money get to the government, or do you mean abstractly, who will fund the government?

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The form of a Proper Objectivist Government would almost certainly be a republic.

Most definitely. The rightful term for the nation would be "The Free Republic of X", but unfortunately "free republic" now has an undesirable connotation.

The Big Question: How will it be financed.

Old thread.

Tax may be a necessary evil.

There is no such thing as necessary evils. Ever. Something is either necessary, or it is evil, or is neither, but never both.

In a given territory there should be only one government so there is no confusion of jurisdiction

A technical quibble: one government authority for a given level of jurisdiction. There can be two or three governments covering the same geographical area, but operating at different levels eg Fed State & Municipal / County. Where there is jurisdictional overlap (RB mentioned an example just the other day) one hopes the appropriate constitutions require the two governments to play nice with each other and dove-tail operations to serve the true ultimate goal of protecting individual rights.

JJM

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Democracy is a compromise between Freedom and Socialism and it leads to Fascism.

As Lenin said. Democracy is Capitalism in Decline.

Communism and Fascism are both flavors of Socialism / Collectivism.

Its Opposite is FREEDOM, Our Constitutional Republic.

I don't know about all of you but I don't like my Republic being Compromised.

Vote Ron Paul 2008 !

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