Why do we need governments?

Otherground
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Serious question. Every market would be better off without their stupid interventions.

I can’t think of a single thing that wouldn’t be better in a free market.

Then you have security and law which I guess are the tough ones but not really because there are already examples where that is organised privately as well.

Please enlighten me, make a good case

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Organization of labors

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Govs are supposed to protect the people and their rights.

In theory.

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Go read Animal Farm.

Whether we need government or not, there will always be those who seek to rule and WILL create a path to rule if one is not already established. Democracy is the best version of government yet conceived as, in theory, the people run it as opposed to a King or dictator.

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This. Power abhors a vacuum. Look at CHAZ and how quick it became a mini dictatorship

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I sometimes wonder why we need water. All water does is like floods roads and makes mud and stuff.

I mean we need to drink it and that is a tough one but I feel like we could drink something else.

Why do we need water, really?

Enlighten me, make a good case.

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Governments play a critical role in society, addressing issues that extend beyond the reach of the free market. While markets can be efficient and innovative, there are certain aspects of society where government intervention can lead to better outcomes. Here are some arguments in favor of having a government:

  1. Public Goods: Governments provide public goods, which are services or products that are non-excludable and non-rivalrous, meaning one person’s use doesn’t diminish another person’s use, and it’s difficult to exclude people from benefiting. Examples include defense, infrastructure, and public parks. The free market tends to underprovide these goods because individuals and businesses may not have the incentive to invest in them without profit.
  2. Externalities: Governments can mitigate externalities, which are unintended consequences that arise from economic activities. Negative externalities, like pollution, can be managed through regulation or taxes, while positive externalities, like education, can be encouraged through subsidies or public provision.
  3. Redistribution of Wealth: Governments can address income inequality and help vulnerable populations by implementing progressive taxation and providing social services, such as healthcare, education, and unemployment benefits. Markets, left on their own, can exacerbate inequality and perpetuate cycles of poverty.
  4. Stability and Security: Governments can create a stable environment for economic growth by establishing a legal framework, enforcing property rights, and protecting citizens from crime and foreign threats. While there are examples of private security, relying solely on private systems can lead to unequal access to protection, which can undermine social cohesion and stability.
  5. Market Failures: Governments can intervene when markets fail or become inefficient, as in the case of monopolies, information asymmetry, or economic crises. Government intervention can help ensure that resources are allocated efficiently and that the economy remains stable and robust.
  6. Long-term Planning: Governments can make investments in projects with long time horizons, which may not be profitable or feasible for private entities. This includes investments in scientific research, infrastructure development, and space exploration.

While the free market has many advantages, it’s important to recognize the limitations and areas where government intervention can lead to better outcomes for society. The key is finding the right balance between government and market involvement to promote efficiency, equity, and long-term growth.

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That could be organized more efficiently in a free market as well. People will be happy to pay for security. People will also move to places that are controlled by companies which grant the people decent rights.

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Wouldn’t it be better if we could vote directly when it comes to making difficult decisions? I need to read that book though it’s on the list.

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Lame. Come up with a real response or maybe you don’t have one? This is a difficult question and the answer is far from obvious

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chatGPT?

The only compelling argument I can see is protection from monopolies. But even that could be solved in a free market if enough people are pissed off about someone abusing their monopoly they’ll pay someone else to destroy that monopoly.

Long term planning my ass. Every 4 years the government changes so there is no incentive for long term planning. Even a monarchy would be superior

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We don’t.

Anyone who argues we do is trapped in the matrix.

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No. A Constitutional Republic is. America used to be one.

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I would make the case that there is a role for a limited government.

You know, like the one we’re legally restricted to…

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Think about it, there always has to be some final authority. The problem is that it is hijacked by a mafia.

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Who will protect a women’s right to have some creep vacuum out her developing baby piece by piece without government, bro?

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The problem is not about Government or no Government…self governing would go off the rails in the same way official Government has…just give humans enough time and enough shiny toys, and shit will begin to go south…It’s in our nature

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Leonardo Dicaprio Lol GIF

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What exactly do you see happening?

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