The purpose of government

[chuck34]

I know this is probably going to start a big fight. But let's try to keep it civil, ok?

I have been thinking that pretty much every disagreement/argument about some new government program or whatever can really be traced back to what people believe to be the foundational purpose of government. So I just want to do a quick poll type of thing to see what you all think.

What is the core, foundation, bed-rock, guiding purpose of government?


I'll with-hold my opinion for a while, just to see what comes up before I get blasted.

[ArrowsFA1]

Why has government been instituted at all? Because the passions of men will not conform to the dictates of reason and justice without constraint.

Alexander Hamilton

[Eki]

Maintaining law and order, leveling the playing field and keeping the game fair. Providing and taking care of infrastructure and basic needs for everyone. What you get extra on top of that is up to each individual and his/her abilities.

[Rudy Tamasz]

Maintaining law and order, leveling the playing field and keeping the game fair. Providing and taking care of infrastructure and basic needs for everyone. What you get extra on top of that is up to each individual and his/her abilities.

Wow, I actually do agree with this. I'm only afraid Eki and I will disagree about the details, i.e. what exactly the "level playing field", "fair game" and "basic needs" mean.

I would also add that the government should ideally represent the unity of the nation, but that function has been abused oh so many times.

[BDunnell]

Maintaining law and order, leveling the playing field and keeping the game fair. Providing and taking care of infrastructure and basic needs for everyone. What you get extra on top of that is up to each individual and his/her abilities.

I have nothing to add to this.

[Tazio]

Agreeing with the above definition, I believe that mankind can only exist harmoniously at the Clan level. I believe that it is instinctual and anything larger than that entity will have major failings.
It is only fair that I qualify that statement by admitting I am an Anarchist.

[Eki]

Clan level? That's what they do in Afghanistan and Iraq. Doesn't look very harmonious to me. Unless you mean living within a clan and not co-existence of different clans.

[Tazio]

Unless you mean living within a clan and not co-existence of different clans.

ailor: Yep.

[schmenke]

I...What is the core, foundation, bed-rock, guiding purpose of government? ...

To tax my beer.

[glauistean]

Yes, there was such harmonious agreement between the Blackfeet,Crow, Choctaw,Apache (Mescalero and Chirichao), Sioux (Lakota and Dakota, albeit the same)Cherokee, Shawnee and on it goes.

But, as Eki inferred there was a very structured government within these few of the most well known tribes.

The Nez Percz did not even have a supreme leader until ordered to by Washington which culminated in extinction. Prior to that time they lived in harmony with one another and it was the person who dwelt punishment on himself/herself for any wrongs.