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Quote by: Autolykos  Wade, how do you define "authority"? The reason I ask is because it seems to me that your definition of "authority" includes things that nearly everyone else views as peaceful, voluntary interactions. For example, buying and selling are typically not viewed as violent, yet (from what I gather) your definition of "authority" would stipulate the buyer and the seller having authority over one another. I think that we need to come to a common ground on what constitutes authority before the debate can go any further. |
1. Authorities are persons having the legal power to make and enforce the law.
In this discussion it must include landlords, banking institutions and private property in general--a setup entrenched in laws, and for understandable reasons. Without laws to protect them and without an indoctrinated population willing to go along, these features of human life would likely be greatly undermined, seeing as to how it's not necessary for people to be constantly subservient.
And, of course, authority can more broadly be defined thusly:
"Authority is a power or right, usually because of rank or office, to issue commands and to punish for violations: to have authority over subordinates. Control is either power or influence applied to the complete and successful direction or manipulation of persons or things: to be in control of a project. Influence is a personal and unofficial power derived from deference of others to one's character, ability, or station; it may be exerted unconsciously or may operate through persuasion."
As anyone knows, authority can be labeled public or private, but it can all be challenged--and should be, if we want to be intelligent observers.
Grandpa h.