Thanks for the recommendation, pede! I haven't heard of this book but I have heard this argument on a few occasions—most frequently from leftist libertarians/anarchists, who like to point out that feudal serfs had better work-life balance and less immediate governmental intervention in their lives than the modern office worker in America. Nonetheless, I'm interested in the subject matter and will search my library for a copy. If that doesn't work, I'll take to the web...
My issue with the notion of a "fire and forget" ruler is that it's essentially impossible to "preserve and enshrine individual freedoms and property rights" when those rights are subject to be discarded by a monarch's/despot's whim. Of course, you can make a similar argument about democracy and the "tyranny of the majority," but the simple fact is that power distributed between hundreds of representatives (or millions of people) is harder to wield than power held by a single person. And when it comes to power over my life and my rights, I want it to be as unwieldy as possible.
Ultimately, I'm interested in decentralizing power and reducing the concentration of power across unnecessary hierarchies. I voted for Trump because he's the best candidate for states' rights, and in America, states' rights seem to be our best bet for decentralizing power. Frankly, if I wanted to live under a monarch, I'd prefer someone who acts with a bit more dignity (a bit more kingly, if you will).
No matter what, the coming weeks are going to be interesting!
Sorry that I forgot to reply. If you absolutely can't find it (try interlibrary loan, though; that system is still around, and it is great; I get books at my public library from university libraries that way, and it's free!) but you are willing to get it bootleg, send me a private message and I will "help you out" with that...
To be clear, I'm not for a total despot system. I want there to be some form of constitution and an independent judiciary.
I agree with you about the dignity. I support Trump because he gives it to the media and does what's right regardless of the consequences, but he's a disruptor. I would expect if Don Jr took over afterward, that Don Jr would be more stately.
Thanks for the recommendation, pede! I haven't heard of this book but I have heard this argument on a few occasions—most frequently from leftist libertarians/anarchists, who like to point out that feudal serfs had better work-life balance and less immediate governmental intervention in their lives than the modern office worker in America. Nonetheless, I'm interested in the subject matter and will search my library for a copy. If that doesn't work, I'll take to the web...
My issue with the notion of a "fire and forget" ruler is that it's essentially impossible to "preserve and enshrine individual freedoms and property rights" when those rights are subject to be discarded by a monarch's/despot's whim. Of course, you can make a similar argument about democracy and the "tyranny of the majority," but the simple fact is that power distributed between hundreds of representatives (or millions of people) is harder to wield than power held by a single person. And when it comes to power over my life and my rights, I want it to be as unwieldy as possible.
Ultimately, I'm interested in decentralizing power and reducing the concentration of power across unnecessary hierarchies. I voted for Trump because he's the best candidate for states' rights, and in America, states' rights seem to be our best bet for decentralizing power. Frankly, if I wanted to live under a monarch, I'd prefer someone who acts with a bit more dignity (a bit more kingly, if you will).
No matter what, the coming weeks are going to be interesting!
Sorry that I forgot to reply. If you absolutely can't find it (try interlibrary loan, though; that system is still around, and it is great; I get books at my public library from university libraries that way, and it's free!) but you are willing to get it bootleg, send me a private message and I will "help you out" with that...
To be clear, I'm not for a total despot system. I want there to be some form of constitution and an independent judiciary.
I agree with you about the dignity. I support Trump because he gives it to the media and does what's right regardless of the consequences, but he's a disruptor. I would expect if Don Jr took over afterward, that Don Jr would be more stately.