ncg@ukc.UUCP (N.C.Gale) (02/14/85)
- A common arguement by such as Cliff & JoSH, is that elected governments are oppressive: a) because once elected, they can do almost as they please (unless they want to get re-elected. b) because there is always a large minority (or majority, even) who do not want that particular government. This is difficult to argue against, so it set me thinking. To ally this to the zoo of societies idea, perhaps the central government of a country with population of x-million is always going to oppress some. Should not government be broken down into more local units (of a few thousand, say), more autonomous than exist at the moment. There would still be a meta-government to control national issues, like foriegn policy, for instance. This would prevent the detachment of government from public opinion. Local elections could be brought about by petition. As could referenda on specific policies. I know, there would still be a problem of preventing all the wealth and skills (and crime) being attracted to low-tax areas, and preventing all the not-so-well-off converging on units with high social-security, or free medicine. I haven't thought how to solve those yet. Immigration/Emmigration tax (as appropriate) between areas, perhaps? I can't think of a name for it as snappy as 'Libertaria'. 'Myriad' perhaps. -Nige Gale