I have been having a debate with a friend about the ideal type of government. I have advocated to him how the ideal society could function without the state. He continues to advocate that the best society for all would be one with a minimal state that provides basic services of education, health care, police, fire, and of course the indispensable roads (it really is amazing how people hold onto this). He thinks that his government in a small area with a townhall type of structure could achieve these ends with the right "type" of people. I realize the absurdity and danger of government in general after listening to ~200 FDR podcasts and know how to counter his assertions. I do have a few questions however for anarcho-capitalists that have dug into this more.
I brought up the question that Stef has raised that if socialized medicine is a Canadian value why does the State exist stealing money from everyone and leaving our friends up north with such dreadful health care. Why can't everyone just make sure that those unable to afford health care receive it through charity. His response is that by choosing to live in Canada, you have implicitly agreed to this value. He then would use this to justify his government in his proposed society. My problem with this is then every government in all areas can use this argument and there will never be any freedom. How can a free society survive if the local municipalities tax all residents for even basic services like trash removal and roads. I see an opportunity for this to be exploited by those looking for power to continue to expand the violece of the state by using the argument "you choose to live here so you agree to X, Y, Z..."
Also, he points to the northern European countries, specifically in Scandinavia such as Denmark as having the ideal government. He draws this from the happiness surveys taken indicating they are the happiest as the government provides everyone with the basic services that enables them to pursue their self-interest. He says a government over a small population of one ethnic group prevents totalitarianism and the escalation of state power that occurs in more multi-ethnic nations. Without knowing much about these nations, how do they really function and what downfalls will they experience from the lack of freedom experienced by citizens of these nations?