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Politics

Why organisations are inherently conservative

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Social organisations are inherently small-c conservative, in that over time, they tend to become more cautious, more inclined to stick with what has gone before, and less open to radical change. This applies all the way from small community organisations to the governments of countries and leadership of huge businesses. But why? The leaders of those organisations perceive that their own role as leaders will be less threatened by “more of the same” than by… Read More »Why organisations are inherently conservative

Why Communism must be Coercive

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It would be nice if guaranteeing equality of outcomes could lead to a happier society, but it’s never going to happen. Communism is generally considered to be a political and economic system which is characterised by common ownership of the means of production and free access to the articles of consumption. It purports to be classless, stateless, and without money. Common ownership implies a planned economy, for it must exclude private trading and market determination… Read More »Why Communism must be Coercive

On Property : 2 : Justice

In part 1, we looked at Violence, Trade and Law, with regard to Property. The Origin of Property In 1797, Sade wrote “Tracing the right of property back to its source, one infallibly arrives at usurpation. However, theft is only punished because it violates the right of property; but this right is itself nothing in origin but theft“ From this text comes the better known aphorism “All property is theft”. We interpret this with Sade, as… Read More »On Property : 2 : Justice

On Property : 1 : Violence, Trade and Law

When two strangers meet, and one desires something which the other has, the two have two options before them, whether they be individuals, ethnic groups, corporations, or nations. The first option is force: violence or the threat of violence. This option is chosen unilaterally by one party, believing themselves stronger, to take what they desire.The second option is trade. This option is chosen mutually by both parties, deeming themselves equal, to negotiate and agree a… Read More »On Property : 1 : Violence, Trade and Law

Whose side are the police on?

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I’m fascinated by the narrative conflict around whether the police should be construed as the agents of the state enemy, or else as the also-human guys doing a necessary job. The calls from some sections of the US left, to defund or disband the police indicates the idea of having a police force is itself the problem, rather than the behaviour of the current officers. In the UK, the supporters of Extinction Rebellion debate whether… Read More »Whose side are the police on?