Knowledge check: If a government had only 2 functions,what would they be?

[johnniewalker]

First of all, there is technically a "right"answer. That is, according to a highly-knowledgeable  economist (Oxford/Cambridge). I wish I remembered his name, I REALLY do. He said he was an all-out libertarian, bordering on anarchist (he lol'd). I am also a Libertarian (maybe not as fanatic as him, but I am one) so I liked listening to him.

One thing he said has been on my mind for close to a week now. He said that we as a nation would thrive and be most free if our government only had 2 functions. The invisible hand, he said would take care of the rest.

So what do you guys think? I don't think he's crazy. Either way, post what you think those 2 functions are and later I'll reveal the answer (again, according to him).

Lets have a FUN (no computer screen drama) debate over politics and whatever else this brings up!

[bitdragon]

1) to be as small as possible

[5flags]

1. Protection of private property, specifically threat to private property from coercion or fraud.

2. Protection of individual liberty from violent coercion.

[X_X_X]

1. Protection of private property, specifically threat to private property from coercion or fraud.

2. Protection of individual liberty from violent coercion.

These two are basically the same, it's about security.

My answer:

1. Whatever related to security, includying police, army, tribunals, jails...
2. All the basic road infrastructures.

[nwbitcoin]

The invisible hand was a reference used a lot by Adam Smith, the Father of modern economics.

As for the 2 roles of government, one is the security of the land from outside forces, the other is the enforcer of law inside the country.

Really, its just about enforcing and protecting property rights and nothing much else.

All other elements of society can be provided by a third party. Road infrastructure, health, education and welfare don't have to be done by government, although many people couldn't imagine a world where they weren't!

[Gareth Nelson]

I can think of 3, it's hard to cut down to 2:

1 - National defence against foreign invasion and other military threats
2 - Protection of human rights (don't laugh)
3 - Enforcement of contracts

[5flags]

1. Protection of private property, specifically threat to private property from coercion or fraud.

2. Protection of individual liberty from violent coercion.

These two are basically the same, it's about security.

How about this: to provide the benchmark of sexual deviancy??

[townf]

1. Fleece everybody so as to have enough money to bribe the desperate to not revolt.
2. Spy on you.

[Severian]

1. ) Leave peaceful citizens the hell alone.

2. ) See 1.

[townf]

1. Expand
2. Control

[Hawker]

1. Protection of private property, specifically threat to private property from coercion or fraud.

2. Protection of individual liberty from violent coercion.

These two are basically the same, it's about security.

How about this: to provide the benchmark of sexual deviancy??

Take the word "sexual" out of that and you have an essential role of government.  It enforces norms of behaviour and its enforcement action creates a benchmark that people treat as a kind of morality.  

[Bonam]

As for the 2 roles of government, one is the security of the land from outside forces, the other is the enforcer of law inside the country.

Pretty sure that's indeed the correct answer: (1) national defense and (2) rule of law.

[townf]

1. Imperialize
2. Misinform

[townf]

1. Pee into the wind
2. Shit on everything

[myrkul]

As for the 2 roles of government, one is the security of the land from outside forces, the other is the enforcer of law inside the country.

Pretty sure that's indeed the correct answer: (1) national defense and (2) rule of law.

Yeah, that's my vote too. Essentially:
1. Police/military (they're pretty much the same thing, especially if the military is used only defensively)
2. Courts

The thing is, monopoly power distorts even these two essential functions. In brief, when the government is the law, they are above the law. Market forces can take care of everything, and there is no need for a monopoly on those services.

[Akka]

As for the 2 roles of government, one is the security of the land from outside forces, the other is the enforcer of law inside the country.

Pretty sure that's indeed the correct answer: (1) national defense and (2) rule of law.

Yeah, that's my vote too. Essentially:
1. Police/military (they're pretty much the same thing, especially if the military is used only defensively)
2. Courts

The thing is, monopoly power distorts even these two essential functions. In brief, when the government is the law, they are above the law. Market forces can take care of everything, and there is no need for a monopoly on those services.

I also think the first is courts. Basically only acting as neutral and deciding Party when there are disputes between citizens / companies in this country or other countries.

I'm not so sure about the military. Community Militias can form sufficient means for defense. Wealth People and companies could pay for the equipment while every citizens agrees to defend the country if attacked.

I would say the second is diplomacy. As long as there are other Governments. The free nation would need to be represented towards them through a single entity.

[myrkul]

I'm not so sure about the military. Community Militias can form sufficient means for defense. Wealth People and companies could pay for the equipment while every citizens agrees to defend the county if attacked.

Indeed. In fact, there's solid evidence that military force is not a natural monopoly. Even in cases where a professional military is desired, bureaucratic concerns limit it's "optimal" size below that of a national force, even below that of some smaller markets.

I would say the second is diplomacy. As long as there are other Governments. The free nation would need to be represented towards them through a single entity.

This is a good point, but what purpose would a diplomat serve? I mean, foreign policy could be summed up in a press release: "We'll trade with anyone who comes in peace, and woe betide any who come in war."

[lonelyminer (Peter Šurda)]

So what do you guys think? I don't think he's crazy. Either way, post what you think those 2 functions are and later I'll reveal the answer (again, according to him).

• Preserve the anthem.
• Preserve the flag.

Ideally in a museum funded by donations.

[RoadToHell]

1) Ask for forgiveness.
2) Disband.

[myrkul]

So what do you guys think? I don't think he's crazy. Either way, post what you think those 2 functions are and later I'll reveal the answer (again, according to him).

• Preserve the anthem.
• Preserve the flag.

Ideally in a museum funded by donations.

+1