Imagine a country of 7 people. Now, one of those people took some money from the others, what would you call it? Theft. Then, two of those people took some money from the others, would it still be theft? Yes, and conspiracy besides. Then, three of those people took some money from the others, would that still be theft? Yes. And conspiracy. And probably organized crime besides. So, what do you call it when four of the people want to take money from the others? That is all.
i've a theory government came from primitive mans version of organized crime. you look at how competing gangs form alliances, wage war and provide 'benefits' to keep those in their area sweet and you have the nucleus of how governments actually work.
How about a country of seven Randroids plugged into the same brain? Can they really be said to steal from each other?
I believe, in this case, that number of people=number of minds. S'why cults typically spring up in pockets of high population, to reduce the number of thinking being.
For it to be theft, the people would have to have taken money from the others without their knowledge/freely given consent. I don't see a problem as long as anyone in this hypothetical country knows exactly what is taken and has no problem with it, or is free to leave the hypothetical country before having anything taken from them if they do.
You're right. As long as you don't believe that money is merely something that expedites barter. And I doubt you do.
It seems kinda pointless. The paper would get all nasty and then you'd have to go through the effort of printing more, and is that really necessary when there's only 7 people to barter with? I mean, what are the odds half of them even have something worth selling to begin with? Nope, my guess is 4 of them will probably die right away (being worthless is so obvious when there's so few people around), leaving only the guy who's good with his hands, the hot latina, and the man with the plan.
They both arose out of the same tradition: common need for survival and organization. Government evolved through time and cultures as a tribal system, to an aristocratic one. Organized crime is much more simplistic and based on the failures of the "proper" government.
The smallest country in the world is Bassas da India and it has a population of zero. Seven people go there, and you will have to rethink your "belief".
I think this can be adapted so we can have a little fun. I really don't have a prepared answer to this, I'm just curious about what people will come up with. Seven people wash up on a tiny barren atoll. They split up to search the island, and only one of them finds anything. There is one coconut tree which looks to be the only source of food and fresh water available. They all rush to get a coconut, but the one who found the tree says "Wait a minute! This tree is my property. I only have to sell you a coconut if you are able to meet my conditions." What happens next?
Background: This atoll is a volcanic rock surrounded by reefs and is awash at high tide. A French possession since 1897, it was placed under the administration of a commissioner residing in Reunion in 1968. Geography Bassas da India Location: Southern Africa, islands in the southern Mozambique Channel, about one-half of the way from Madagascar to Mozambique Area: total: 0.2 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 0.2 sq km Area - comparative: about one-third the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 35.2 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM Climate: tropical Terrain: volcanic rock Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 2.4 m Natural resources: none Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (all rock) (1998 est.) Irrigated land:0 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: maritime hazard since it is usually under water during high tide and surrounded by reefs; subject to periodic cyclones Geography - note: the islands emerge from a circular reef that sits atop a long-extinct, submerged volcano Population: uninhabited (July 2003 est.) Country name: Bassas da India Dependency status: possession of France; administered by a high commissioner of the Republic, resident in ReunionLegal system: the laws of France, where applicable, apply Flag description: the flag of France is used Economy - overview: no economic activity Transportation Waterways: none Ports and harbors: none; offshore anchorage only
The six most likly band together and take both the coconuts in the tree and that first dude's coconuts from his groin.
No doubt. But can we accept an outcome with such moral consequences? The mob taking property from its rightful owner? Collective need trampling individual rights into the ground? Two of the six remaining islanders are bigger and stronger than the rest. The tree owner tells them, "I'll pay you each a coconut if you help defend my tree from these looters." Thoughts?
Three people not being honest? Another crappy episode of Survivor? (Okay I'll admit that's a tad redundant) How about the tyranny of the tiniest majority?
