Is authority a bad thing?

[HelioPrime]

Inspired by the threads on consumption and control, there exists a feeling expressed by several members here that government control, and power to a few individuals in always a bad thing.

So why is that? Is there a moral or legal law or code somewhere that implies that all humans should be equal and have equal power and access?

Why do people feel that a structured society with some people having more power than others is always a bad thing.

[grandpa]

Here's one out of innumerable examples why:

Hundreds seeking housing money overwhelm Boca Authority BOCA RATON — A crowd of more than 500 people waiting for hours this morning for housing voucher applications were dispersed by police in riot gear at the Boca Raton Housing Authority when the applications ran out sooner than expected.

Grandpa h.

[Compugasm]

I think a better example, is one of the related examples at the bottom of that page: Senate gets into act on saggy-pants ban. Think about that for a moment. Honestly, I hate droopy drawers too. But a State Senate must rule on this?

As leaders, we must send a message to young people in our society to let them understand that there are rules that you must be governed by.

So the answer to your question Helioprime, authority isn't "always" a bad thing. But do would you consider droopy pants a state issue? Those people lined up in grandpas article were there to begin with, because government has put them there. They've got billions to research flying to fucking Mars, but they don't have 500 housing applications? Now it all starts to make sense. The issue isn't really baggy pants, but control and obedience.

[HelioPrime]

There are side effects to any action or decision. The same naturally applies to government and control.

Reducing control so that nobody has any power over others isn't even something that can be accomplished.

If you would like, please start a thread outlining exactly how you think the US could achieve a better society. The basic question to address would be how to keep civil order, justice, prevent crime, deal with housing, food, and welfare issues as well.

[Compugasm]

Quote by: HelioPrime Reducing control so that nobody has any power over others isn't even something that can be accomplished.

You answered your own question.

[Cephus]

Quote by: HelioPrime Inspired by the threads on consumption and control, there exists a feeling expressed by several members here that government control, and power to a few individuals in always a bad thing.

You notice the people who complain about authority and power are the ones who have none? Go figure.

[Kizzume]

Quote by: HelioPrime Inspired by the threads on consumption and control, there exists a feeling expressed by several members here that government control, and power to a few individuals in always a bad thing. So why is that? Is there a moral or legal law or code somewhere that implies that all humans should be equal and have equal power and access? Why do people feel that a structured society with some people having more power than others is always a bad thing.

It's USUALLY a bad thing, not ALWAYS. If there are people that are actually benevolent that are in power, it can be good, but so often greed and the desire for more power kicks in, which usually destroys anything good about the relationship between those with the power and those without.

[Walrus]

Authority is part of society and it is necessary for the cohesion of that society, what should be a matter of concern is to the level of authoritarianism we should allow and how it conflicts with our individual freedoms and human rights.

[Kizzume]

Quote by: Walrus Authority is part of society and it is necessary for the cohesion of that society, what should be a matter of concern is to the level of authoritarianism we should allow and how it conflicts with our individual freedoms and human rights.

I agree with that completely.

[HelioPrime]

Quote by: Compugasm You answered your own question.

The fundamental idea of anarchism is to minimize coercion and exploitation as much as possible. To make wins for such a world is not only possible, it is practical.

Grandpa h.

I'm more waiting for an answer from those who think an anarchism society is possible and how we would go about it. Plus how you would convince people to accept such a society.

[nerdvincent]

Quote by: Walrus Authority is part of society and it is necessary for the cohesion of that society,.

What about another society? Or no society?
Did you ask me if I wanted to take part of the system when I was born?

[nerdvincent]

Duplicated post.

[nerdvincent]

Quote by: HelioPrime I'm more waiting for an answer from those who think an anarchism society is possible and how we would go about it. Plus how you would convince people to accept such a society.

What society? There is no arnachist society, there is just the society and the anarchists. There were successful Spanish anarcho-communists experiences during World War 2, Grandpa will post the links.
But you were partly right: an anarchist experience based on consumption of goods and worshiping of money like in the US isn't possible.

[Cephus]

Quote by: HelioPrime I'm more waiting for an answer from those who think an anarchism society is possible and how we would go about it. Plus how you would convince people to accept such a society.

It's MAGIC!

I once asked an anarcho-capitalist exactly how they expected to maintain a viable form of currency in an anarchic society when the strong are going to realize they have nothing to fear from the weak and therefore, will just take instead of buying. Apparently they think that a non-existent government is going to print money and somehow guarantee it's worth.

These people are just nuts.

[Kizzume]

It's on the same playing field as extreme libertarians (notice I said extreme) who think EVERYTHING can be privatized and deregulated without making millions of people suffer.

[Walrus]

Quote by: nerdvincent What about another society? Or no society? Did you ask me if I wanted to take part of the system when I was born?

No society would mean no rules, complete freedom, it would be chaos but probably short lived chaos because as a species as we have a natural propensity to gather together in groups and form tribal oligarchies.

[Chaossaber314]

Quote by: Kizzume It's on the same playing field as extreme libertarians (notice I said extreme) who think EVERYTHING can be privatized and deregulated without making millions of people suffer.

I agree completely. Both extreme ideologies are simply wishful thinking.

[Milton Bradley]

My real problem with authority, as it's practiced today, is that it's arbitrary, and capricious. Primarily because it's not based on sound philisophical foundations, but on prejudice, spite, or used as a tool to economically disenfranchise others.

[another day]

Of course not. Authority is only bad when the authority is misguided/wrong, oppressive, and abusive/malicious. Which unfortunately is often how authority tends to manifest itself. Nature of the beast I suppose.

[grandpa]

Quote by: HelioPrime The fundamental idea of anarchism is to minimize coercion and exploitation as much as possible. To make wins for such a world is not only possible, it is practical. Grandpa h. I'm more waiting for an answer from those who think an anarchism society is possible and how we would go about it. Plus how you would convince people to accept such a society.

Well, it depends on what you mean by possible. Can any person or society perfectly exemplify anarchism? Probably not, as statists are eager to mention. But it can certainly be approximated rather successfully, for the basic logic behind it is secure. If you still ask, "Is it possible or even practical?," I urge you to do what I often suggest: Pick up a history book. Examine things like the Nazi death machine, American slavery (which lasted for hundreds of years), the genocide of "Indians," etc. In such examples there are plenty reasons to instantly call for the abolition of state power. States are not radiant with benevolent energy. They are destructive, elitist entities that regard people as mere machines.

With this in mind, people may eventually be forced to ask a different question: How can we go on with state power? Now, it's a certainty that Bush (and the Bushes of the world) won't ask such questions, but we can.

As for how to convince people to accept anarchism, I'd suggest using logic.

Grandpa h.