[ExI] Belief in Market Efficiency

[Stathis Papaioannou]

2009/2/9 painlord2k at libero.it <painlord2k at libero.it>:
> Il 08/02/2009 12.39, Stathis Papaioannou ha scritto:
>
>> Obviously it's facile to maintain that everything in a (nominal)
>> democracy has been put to the vote, therefore it must be OK. But I was
>> pointing out that there is this possible arrangement whereby I might
>> vote to have myself forcibly taxed, on the condition that everyone
>> else is also forcibly taxed. This is a voluntary contract despite the
>> fact that I may be coerced, since I am agreeing to be coerced. On the
>> other hand, if we allow anyone who doesn't agree to the contract to
>> opt out of it then it would never work: even if all the voters were
>> willing to be taxed if everyone else was also taxed, all might decline
>> to be taxed if by so doing they could opt out of the tax.
>
> If they pay not taxes, but pay for services offered, they will be able to
> opt out and not receive the service.

But if they want a service provided by universal taxation, that can't
be obtained as well or at all any other way, that presents a problem.
Police, defense, education and health are examples of such services
which most people in most countries are willing to be taxed for.

> Taxes are not a contract, because I can not sue the government for not
> providing a service. The government will not let me do it and don't accept
> to be tried by an impartial judge under impartial laws.
> Try to sue the government because the police don't protect you (even in
> clear and present danger) if you don't believe me.

What you're talking about here is corrupt government systems. But if
you eliminate elected officials and their proxies, what is to prevent
a capitalist oligarchy like the Mafia from becoming the prevailing
power? This is my main misgiving about anarchism: I don't like being
controlled by government, but I would like being controlled by
unfettered corporations even less.


-- 
Stathis Papaioannou