PHILOSOPHY - DEMOCRACY 6: Liberalism

In this Wireless Philosophy video, Geoff Pynn (Elgin Community College) questions how liberty can be reconciled with the state’s authority, and explains John Stuart Mill’s “Harm Principle.”

[FairnessIsTheAnswer]

Pirates, Murderers and Thieves Are Inevitable. Unless the nature of people is somehow changed so that not a single pirate, murderer, or thief ever existed, then the people who could be victims will want protection and security. And providing that security often becomes an official, organized endeavor. If the organizational structure expands to large geographical regions in order to become more efficient, then a government emerges. Instead of every house needing their own security guard, the town decides to have a police force, which is more cost-effective than every household hiring protection. So, organized authority is very much a consequence of the need for efficient use of resources.

[FairnessIsTheAnswer]

Leaders emerge even in small groups. What if everyone was a follower? What if everyone was trying to be the leader? Would a group choose the least experienced and stupidest one as the leader? Would the group continue to follow the leader that led them into trouble when another group's leader led them to what everyone wanted? The point is that leaders emerge naturally, and groups choose leaders even if it's done unofficially. Leaders, followers, and authority seem to be unavoidable in some situations.

[FairnessIsTheAnswer]

When was the last time someone from the government threatened you with bodily harm to change your mind?

[THEEMADDHEADDOCTOR]

Liberalism (in the context you used it) Is The Best System Of Government As Long As It Is Being Monitored To Prevent Government Overreach...

[papaspeleo]

The most dangerous superstition by larken rose debunks all off this.
All the best.