What Is Your Problem With Anarchy?

sir, you are right to assume i live in fear of the loss of control

that would be because in all past incidents where anarchy has reigned for even a short time, it has been a massive bloodbath, the best example that comes to mind would be the french revolution, although the bolsheivik revolution and post roman europe also come to mind, we live in fear because as mr Zetetic claimed, your system of "everyone will respect each other and look out for themselves" only works in theory, self determination, as you advocate, leads to dissidence and strife, there can be only one system in place within a given geographic zone, and since anarchy is proven not to work, there realy only is no other option

Heres my question. Why is this not an important goal, when creating a system of control(government)?

sir, please do not sidestep the topic, we are not discussing patriotism and its cause, nationalism has not once entered this debate, what we are discussing is how to stop a moneybags and a company of mercs from taking over in the power vacuum that anarchy would bring. All it would take is a modern day rockefeller with the desire to impose his will, and though some people are more valuable free than as slaves, the vast majority would do perfectly as bondsmen. As you anarchists like to call them, the turbid masses and repressed proleterait. There will be ordenence, whether at the hands of councils or tyrants, humanity will regulate itself, it is in our nature. The idea of a truly lawless society is repugnant to the vast majority of us, and we will do whatever we must to preserve the social order, secondly, i support mr zetetic wholeheartedly, how, in a society like ours, would the major infrastructure be built and maintained without some kind of governing civil body. Roads are not cheap.

and as to the previous incidents of pseudo anarchy, you are correct, they are not anarchy in its pure form, but if an entire nation of oppressed laborers rises up and, while still clinging to the vestiges of an old system, murder and usher in chaos, i shudder to ponder what would happen if all civil inhibitions were removed. In such ungoverned circumstances, the innocent masses are a ticking time bomb, just waiting to exibit the more base nature of humanity

I can imagine a hundred people marooned on a desert island..how would anarchy work in these circumstances..Remember i only know the characters of those who may influence this situation..Let the anarchists give their picture.

... love to toss in a side note here if I may;
[INDENT]Regarding the OP summation of Anarchy's definition (that being the least or no government) I'll toss in this contrast: For a collection of people who acted in the way I believe humans should interact; hell yea! Sign me up!
[/INDENT]Unfortunately, I believe I'm compromised by the fact that I believe so many people wouldn't. I imagine the hovel in which I live, in a land bereft of any governmental protections, services or 'guarantees' and I feel fear. Rational or not, this is my conception of the issue.

Thanks

... love to toss in a side note here if I may;[INDENT]Regarding the OP summation of Anarchy's definition (that being the least or no government) I'll toss in this contrast: For a collection of people who acted in the way I believe humans should interact; hell yea! Sign me up!
[/INDENT]Unfortunately, I believe I'm compromised by the fact that I believe so many people wouldn't. I imagine the hovel in which I live, in a land bereft of any governmental protections, services or 'guarantees' and I feel fear. Rational or not, this is my conception of the issue.

Thanks

Imposing anarchy upon a society manipulated and formed by the violence of an entrenched elite would be a fearful state.

Then you should feel fear now for there is no true protection from the government. If someone wants to kill you, the government is not going to stop them, only catch them later. If the government could protect us then there would be no murder, theft, violence.

No, our government does not protect us. It merely comes in and cleans up the mess once the deed is done. They are not gaurdians, they are maids. Poor maids at that considering that in many societies, the ones creating the mess get away with it on legal loop holes.

The fact of the matter is that no one has killed you because you have not provoked anyone to do so. No one has robbed you because you have not created a situation in which someone desires what you have more than you do. No one has committed a violent act against you because you have not committed one against them. Anarchy is no different. The golden rule still applies. As a matter of fact, it is imperative. A categorical imperative you might say .


I can understand why you are all afraid. But tell me something. You asked what would prevent another Rockefeller from popping up... Well your system of 'government' didn't prevent the first one. As a matter of fact, if you are a student of history at all then you would know that the government actually supported the growth of the Rockefeller empire. So tell me where the balance in YOUR system is. Tell me what prevent a violent uprising right now? Through out history violent revolutions have been CAUSED by governments and their over abundance of power. You mention all of these events in relation to anarchy and yet each one has occured under the blanket and as a direct effect of your "government". When you have someone trying to struggle for power in a system where everyone is equal save for their level of determination, someone else will topple them. It will not be a struggle between nations as it is now. There would be no threat of nukes and bombs and rockets wiping out entire cities. It would be a struggle between a few men and even then, more likely to be settled on a bet than for any of those men to risk their lives. Think about it... would you fight someone knowing it was more than likely to the death or would you try to come to terms in a wager or by some other means?

Your problem with anarchy is fear. You are currently settled in a false sense of security thinking that your almighty government will protect you. They can't and won't. You are a number on a tax form. Without you, there is another XXX,000,000 people that they are concerned with. If you get murdered and the murderer is thrown in jail, you're still dead. You were not protected, only avenged and poorly at that.

If you are wondering how anarchy would work if modern society broke down along with the rules, you ask me to answer for a straw man. I propose a memetic evolution to society resulting in a new regard for laws and rules, not a tearing down of society.

If you are wondering how anarchy would work amongst a small isolated band of people, you ask me a question I cannot answer. The social structures and norms of societies are heavily dependent upon the resources and needs experienced by the members of the society. In short, how their society would work would be dependent upon the island and the values of those marooned there. What I can say, however, is that the anthropological record would point to a more or less anarchistic manner to social structure, and may even point to a more satisfying lifestyle than that provided by our modern society.

I think im confident in saying that given the circumstances people would choose the democratic method,anarchy favours the strong not the majority.

Two questions:

What makes you think that an anarchistic society would not have democratic organizations and decision making?

Why should we look to favor the majority? Isn't that simply another word for strength?

No the majority is a mixed bag and it has value of the weakest, how can you now turn anarchy into a democracy.

1. Provide infrastructure, (something i challenge you to provide in an anarchaic society)

2. DETER crime (note, not prevent it, simply attempt to deter it, its not perfect, but its far better than nothing and keeps people in line, or at least discreet)

3. Provide a standard of morality, rather than individualized morality (ie chaos/anarchy)

any government can do this, even dictatorships can garuntee their people quality of life, peace, prosperity, and order (exibit a- Uraguy)