[gvg]

We all know that there are reasons that the so called 'evil' governments don't work (civil rights, economy, human greed, etc.).

But IF they worked, and you could pick one that would rule your country, what would it be?

(By the way, socialism is NOT a type of government. I see it included a lot when people talk about government. In a socialist republic, the government type would be representative democracy, NOT socialism. However, communism is a government type.)

My personal favorite is a meritocracy (I think that's how you spell it) in which the rulers of the nation are those with the highest intellectual power (aka the geniuses. In a meritocracy, Albert Einstein would have ruled his country).

What about you????

[Quag]

Actually gvg socialism is an economic system not a govt like you say . However there is no set type of govt accociated with socialism, it could be pretty much any one at all.

having said that the only EVIL type of govt (assuming you can admit some arent evil) that i think i would go for would be absolute dictatorship, but only if i was the dictator, failing that ill stick with representative democracy.

[Izzy]

The one in Brave New World was pretty cool. ..As long as I'm an Alpha. Encouraged to party, bang, and do soma? "Perfect" world? Sweet deal.

[Guest]

I'd like to see an anarchy, if that's allowed. (no government, everyone doing by voluntary commitment.)

short of that, the next one up would be a republic. (small government, laws derived from core set of laws, provides police, fire department, and perhaps things like mail, roads, sewer systems, etc.)

third choice? boy, is there a third choice beyond oligarchy? (rule by a few elite?)

[gvg]

Actually gvg socialism is an economic system not a govt like you say . However there is no set type of govt accociated with socialism, it could be pretty much any one at all.

I know. That's what I said

phillip: oligarchy is my least favorite actually. If I had to choose a second and a third, they would be monarchy (me as king of course =)) and... uh...... hmmmmmmmm.

Oh! Diarchy

[Guest]

I don't know much about this, but just wondering, would meritocracy be just plain highest IQ, or put most qualified person in any given position?

[gvg]

I'm pretty sure it's highest IQ.

[Guest]

I'd like to see an anarchy, if that's allowed. (no government, everyone doing by voluntary commitment.)

short of that, the next one up would be a republic. (small government, laws derived from core set of laws, provides police, fire department, and perhaps things like mail, roads, sewer systems, etc.)

third choice? boy, is there a third choice beyond oligarchy? (rule by a few elite?)

A republic is an 'Evil' government?!

I'm pretty sure it's highest IQ.

I think that you can really set it up however you like. Merit is a flexible term. It could mean the most money, or the smartest man in the room, or even the most athletic or strongest character. Generally it will probably focus on IQ/intelligence (those most able to run things "properly"), but it's not guaranteed.

As for my favorite "Evil" government, I'd go with Plato's Philosopher-kings from "The Republic." Or the "Foundation" from Isaac Asimiov.

[Izzy]

Eugh, can we not do it with highest IQ? We had a topic about that guy once - and he's an idiotic bartending moron*. I really don't care how well he can solve puzzles, he'd be the death of us all.

*Moron altogether, not just at an extent of his religiousness, but it contributes.

Totally sticking with Brave New World.

[Guest]

Eugh, can we not do it with highest IQ? We had a topic about that guy once - and he's an idiotic bartending moron*. I really don't care how well he can solve puzzles, he'd be the death of us all.

*Moron altogether, not just at an extent of his religiousness, but it contributes.

Totally sticking with Brave New World.

Ahhh Chris Langan. Actually he's a bouncer. You'd think that, being so smart, he'd be more than a BOUNCER. GO STEPHEN HAWKING! And nice signature. Go jedi! U kno they're coming out with new star wars massively multiplayer online roleplaying game? They're working really hard on it.

Edited July 22, 2010 by NickFleming

[Izzy]

Oh, I take my statement back entirely. He doesn't even have the mental capacity to mix drinks...

[Guest]

Lol. "Hey, Langan, get that guy out of here!" Langan: *grunts* "yes boss"

Edited July 22, 2010 by NickFleming

[hugemonkey]

This reminds me or that question, "What is the ideal government?"

Many people mention that a "benevolent dictator" or "good king" would be the best, but that is very subjective depending on what you mean by "best". Maybe fast acting but certainly hit or miss.

Anarchies tend to slip into might-equals-right situations; where the rich, powerful or just the most ruthless end up running the show.

An informed democracy would be just as utopian. The best kind of government should barely be felt in my opinion (so it feels like anarchy but it isn't): trash gets picked-up the trains run on time etc.

A bad government would be merely ineffectual, a worse one would be inifectual and intrusive.

"Communist Governments" were actually bureaucracies or oligarchies with communism being the economic system. There are plenty of social democracies in Europe, with democratically elected goverments that apply a socalist economy. That, to me, is best. The government (theoretically) looks out for the little guy (because the big guy doesn't need help) by providing networks of social support.

[Quag]

actually gvg communism is an economic system as well, not a govt. system. my post however was because of your statement that socialism would come in a representative democracy. Most communist govts we think of, are actually varying forms of dictatorship with some sort of socialst economic system. China being a weird mix of extreme socialism moving on a sliding scale to unrestricted capitalism, depending on what economic zone your in. Again my favorite is total dictaroship with me as leader, failing that representative democracy is the closest thing to being "fair" for everyone.