
The individual is absolutely owned by the state - force is right - hence most people don't break the law - as they're afraid of going to prison.
Only the state has the power to imprison - it's how society works.
( ,
Tue 4 Aug 2009, 9:38,
archived)
Only the state has the power to imprison - it's how society works.

or you're genuinely the worst person I've ever communicated with.
( ,
Tue 4 Aug 2009, 9:39,
archived)

I'll argue black is white for the joy of the sport.
But authoritarianism is how society works - society needs an authority to regulate itself just as a cell needs a wall to stop its insides falling out.
( ,
Tue 4 Aug 2009, 9:45,
archived)
But authoritarianism is how society works - society needs an authority to regulate itself just as a cell needs a wall to stop its insides falling out.

it's good to know what I'm dealing with here, at least.
Of course society needs authorities and regulations. It doesn't need to demand absolute control over everybody's lives. Society exists for the benefit of people, not the other way round, and that means one of its duties is to human dignity. Being able to raise one's own children is something so fundamental to being human that the state should never be allowed to dictate on it, although I'm all for providing good education so that people can make their own informed decisions. And I can't say I'm in favour of rewarding social irresponsibility with cash hand-outs and council house priority. These things were largely a necessary response to the effects of WWII, but it's difficult to take it away now without people complaining about their "rights".
( ,
Tue 4 Aug 2009, 9:55,
archived)
Of course society needs authorities and regulations. It doesn't need to demand absolute control over everybody's lives. Society exists for the benefit of people, not the other way round, and that means one of its duties is to human dignity. Being able to raise one's own children is something so fundamental to being human that the state should never be allowed to dictate on it, although I'm all for providing good education so that people can make their own informed decisions. And I can't say I'm in favour of rewarding social irresponsibility with cash hand-outs and council house priority. These things were largely a necessary response to the effects of WWII, but it's difficult to take it away now without people complaining about their "rights".