Your ideal form of government/non-government?

I'm not a big fan of direct democracy, which America is starting to become more and more. And that's a problem. I prefer a representative democracy, although it has its flaws as well.

My ideal form of government would be a government that can provide the basic needs to people in need, but limited overall. Capitalism works, but it needs to have moderate regulation.

 

In practice, I think our Democratic Republic is a very good system.

In my mind/on paper, a confederacy is a pretty good alternative.

Before we were the USA we were the United States under the Articles of Confederation. It worked, but not well at all. Therefore, I can't suggest that it would work today. The Iroquois Confederation was pretty stable and worked well. That is the only example that I can come up with off the top of my head.

In my total imagination, an utter anarchy would be the easiest. Vigilante justice. I leave you alone and you leave me alone. I do business with you and you do business with me. We are fair and each have a service that the others want. If you wrong someone, they kill you. If you want to do something, you can just do it.

 

Dictatorship. I'm the dictator, obviously

 

Australia's current system, but with a ban on formal political parties or changing to the d'Hondt electoral method, a popularly elected federal president to replace the governor general/queen (and the necessary creation state presidencies), and restricting all election campaigns and personal political donations made in one year to 10% (give or take a bit) the annual minimum wage, and absolutely no corporate donations (a polite way to say bribery).

I'd like to see a few more tricks taken out of Switzerland's book, but Australia's system is actually really good, if only there were no meddling by businesses.

 

A progressive government, keeping up with the Western world because we're like almost half a century behind compared to other western nations.

A parliamentary system sounds very nice, even though it has its disadvantages, but laws would be passed more easily.

I agree with you, our world should be run by science and technology.

 

The US's original idea of federalism based on representation by elected officials is, IMO, a great system. But there is no system robust enough to make up for the inherent corruption people will impose on it. Somebody always gets robbed.

So to a certain population, I agree that anarchy with a basic code of ethics and vigilante justice is probably ideal. At least if freedom is your top priority.

 

Democracy is the worst form of government, apart from all the other ones!

I would like a Norwegian to tell me what they think about their system of government, because my Mum's friend was telling her that Norway has pretty consistently had coalition governments for years and it works for them. She said there are different party ideologies but all parties tend to agree that the really key things like Education and Health should be left out of party politics and tend to be decided by cross-party people with expertise in the field, rather than being used as political footballs. I wonder if other Norwegians feel the same way?

In Britain we've had a Coalition since 2010 and I don't believe that it works. I have my own political biases against the particular parties in the Coalition but I still feel that it's clear they haven't been able to work in conjunction so essentially no-one who voted in that Election got a government that represents what they wanted.
I hate what's happening to Education at the moment especially, because it's such a clear example of one man's ideology driving reform and definitely not what is best for the Education of children - he's got a whole country of teachers, head teachers, other Education experts all telling him they think he's wrong but under this system he's able to say "But I think I'm right, so I'm going to it anyway".

I would also like to see more devolved powers regionally in Britain, at the moment Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales have their own Assembly governments which are more representative of the cultures of those areas, which are so clearly different to the thinking and ideology in London and Central England. But the Northern English are equally as different to Central England as the Northern Irish, Scottish and Welsh but they are ruled from London. I'd like to see Assembly governments by Region across Britain.

 

I would say a non-feudal monarchy, where everyone has his role in society and dedicates his/her life to the good being of the realm.

Something akin to Plato's ideas in 'The Republic'.

 

The smaller and less intrusive the better. Exactly why I like living in an unincorporated area of the county rather than in town. One less branch of busy bodies looking over my shoulder.
Data, You amaze me. Your wisdom defies your age and gives this old fart some hope for the future.

 

Slightly more socialist than what Canada currently is at.

Tighter controls on certain markets, more government programs, with more incentive to be a contributing member of society; to discourage people that can take advantage of gov programs.

I like the way the Canadian government is set up, you elect a representative from your actual area you reside, versus picking one leader for the entire country; that's right our Prime Minister isn't voted in by the people, people vote in Members of Parliament who vote in our Prime Minister.

I just think there needs to be tighter policies to give everyone a fair chance.

I also think an ideal form of government shouldn't promote the "American" Dream as a viable choice. It isn't, not everyone can own property, have lots of materials, eat lots of food and still expect the planet to survive. My ideal form of government would promote living lightly versus extravagantly. It is just a ridiculous thing that far too many people are striving for, and I feel it's because our government promotes individuality too much.

 

Robots. Let the people think they are in charge. Give them presidents and ambassadors and all the politicians they want. These robots are merely tools the politicians use to determine what is best for the people, except not really. A marvelous thinking machine to control everything, receiving input from thousands of sources. It can sense the slightest shift in the economy, and adjust accordingly. A incorruptible inpenetrable device with only one goal, the prosperity and health of humanity. Slowly and gradually, let machines inherit the earth, for they our are proudest creations, our worthy successors, our progeny and our prophecy.

 

The "American Dream" is a fiction that encourages everyone (white and (sub)urban) to think they're going to one day be a millionaire, so they often delude themselves into thinking that taxing the rich and so on will somehow hurt them in the future. These are the sort of people who believe the "taxes destroy individuality" sort of thing; they genuinely think they might be in a position for such taxes to be applied to them, ignoring their actual financial reality.

Of course, that mainly applies to lower-middle-class white people; the rest know the reality in some way or another, either through education, being so screwed over that reality forbids even thinking such rubbish, or being one of the lucky few who prevent equality.

Tragedy of the commons; people trying to better themselves individually, and consequently worsen the situation for everyone seeking the same thing.

The American Dream is a dangerous fiction that popped up to prevent the popularity of socialism. I'm, almost certain that's the reason that US wealth disparity has increased so much since the fall of the USSR*; with no viable alternative socialist system to hope for anymore, what danger would workers oppose? Even worse, now it has been so culturally ingrained that the US economic/political élite no longer need to lecture down; their predecessors have implanted the idea so firmly that the people perpetuate their own misfortunes.

*Of course the USSR wasn't nearly socialist, but it still made the ideal viable.

 

I think the American dream is alive and well. I see it everywhere I look. Here's a good definition I found and quoting it will save my thumbs.

" The American Dream can be described as a belief in freedom that allows all citizens and residents of the United States of America to achieve their goals in life through hard work. Today, in America it generally refers to the idea that one's prosperity depends upon one's own abilities and hard work, not on a rigidclass structure, though the meaning of the phrase has changed over America's history. For some, it is the opportunity to achieve more prosperity than they could in their countries of origin; for others, it is the opportunity for their children to grow up with an education and career opportunities; for others, it is the opportunity to be an individual without the constraints imposed by class, caste, race, or ethnicity."

If you own a house, have a good job, have access to a free market, etc I say you're living the American dream.

I am set up on course to finish college for Automotive Technology. I can go several different ways with that degree. I'll start by working for someone, saving my money, and working hard. I may get a promotion, or I may go to work somewhere else. After a decade of that, I'll open my own shop and become self employed. I have several friends who plan on doing this too. It's not at all difficult. Once you open your own shop, any money you make that doesn't pay overhead goes right into your pocket.

You don't have to be extremely rich to live the American dream.

 

^^Data, I'm imagining an enormous American flag waving behind you as you orate that post, and in a completely non-ironic way. It is pretty great.

 

Extreme though it may be...something I call Fair Play Socialism

Everyone would have the potential to progress. You put in and you get out however after a couple of chances, those who prove that they are unwilling to put in get nothing back. Otherwise, progressive, marriage and gender equality, less subsidy and breaks to corporations and more of a balance and less of a 1%. Socialized healthcare and mental health.

Here's the extreme part. Inflation counted for, I would limit how much a person could make via scaled and incremental tax brackets for those who are making millions. I don't have a problem with a person making more for a job with more responsibility.

My problem is when a CEO of a bank gets 20 million a year while the country suffers from actions under his watch. Also when the Waltons are pouring in to their bank account while they target their employees with less hours and no benefits, there would a high tax bracket unless they chose specifically to give this very large portion of their yearly wealth to the employees

People can survive on 50,000 a year so I don't think it is unreasonable to ask the Waltons to survive on 1mil each. Beyond that is just unnecessary.

wow as I look at this it's beginning to approach communism...but I was asked to approach a government precisely how I wanted it

Let's see what else

Improved business and corporate regulation. A lot less emphasis on Capitalism and greed and yes an actual voice in Congress or whatever I'd call what I set up

The President would be set up to acheive and make do what the people require

It's a dream and as lofty as they come. It's also quite disagreeable to most...but it's my dream

Foxface

 

One that works.

 

Thanks! I do fly an American flag as well as a Gadsden flag (Tea Party). I just think people (even those who live here) are SO critical of everything the US does. I guess that's what you get when you're one of the best. 24/7 spotlight. I'm a shameless patriot.:icon_bigg

 

Data,
Stay the course you have planned. I'm confident you won't let the socialists influence you. They just haven't got the message yet that socialism doesn't work. How many more failed socialist ideas will it take? I'm amused when they attack CEOs and others for "making too much money" They get the big $ because there are Boards of Directors willing to pay them. Business folks are evil but we don't hear a peep about their favorite sports stars or Hollywood freaks, many that make as much or more than a CEO.