It has grown up on the backs of the people: complicated, useless, and wasteful. It enervates us. It subjects us. And it is unsustainable. What will we build in its ashes?
I love your articles. Max, what do you think is the best kind of ‘system’? Is there any? Is it the classical liberal’s night watchman state, or does that inevitably land us here? Is it anarchy? Does any system exist that will not deteriorate as they all have?
Hi Kate! Great questions. I am opposed to the idea of a monolithic system, unless that system is designed at minimum to facilitate federalism and thus pluralism (opt-in opportunities). That had been the design of the US republic, but it hasn't worked all that well. I don't think there is any system that can last forever, but there are great examples of systems that have lasted 500 years, such as the Hanseatic League--a union of distinct city-states. I am only anarchist to the extent that the minimization of monopoly violence is my moral North Star, but I think debates between minarchists and anarchists are silly in the context of the growing managerial state. In other words, these idealists dream of a day we go from A to Z, rather than A to B. They spend so much time arguing abstractions that they miss both strategic and tactical opportunities to engage in the latter (A to B), which is all that is possible. (See Kauffman on the "adjacent possible.") The two most comprehensive articles I've written on this are probably:
It's easy to see and say what's wrong, but how to see and say how things should be? I have seen much of substack what is wrong but precious little of how things should be. It's becoming clear that we don't know how to do right and never will.
I'm curious about how long you've been a reader. I have a LOT of material on how things could be, which I'm happy to share. My friend Michael Strong taught me the phrase "Criticize by Creating," which I try to live by.
I read a description once that described a snowball effect turning into an avalanche and how you can no more reverse THAT process, than you could fix the problems that industrial capitalism has created.
Just try to keep your chin up and dodge the boulders and wait for the rumbling to stop.
Interesting, huh? Well, whatever you assume about whom I vote for will be wrong, because I don't vote. Unlike you, I don't use scatology or racism to evaluate people's positions or electoral choices. Off you go.
Abolish the appartus!
Great Tocqueville quote.
I love your articles. Max, what do you think is the best kind of ‘system’? Is there any? Is it the classical liberal’s night watchman state, or does that inevitably land us here? Is it anarchy? Does any system exist that will not deteriorate as they all have?
Hi Kate! Great questions. I am opposed to the idea of a monolithic system, unless that system is designed at minimum to facilitate federalism and thus pluralism (opt-in opportunities). That had been the design of the US republic, but it hasn't worked all that well. I don't think there is any system that can last forever, but there are great examples of systems that have lasted 500 years, such as the Hanseatic League--a union of distinct city-states. I am only anarchist to the extent that the minimization of monopoly violence is my moral North Star, but I think debates between minarchists and anarchists are silly in the context of the growing managerial state. In other words, these idealists dream of a day we go from A to Z, rather than A to B. They spend so much time arguing abstractions that they miss both strategic and tactical opportunities to engage in the latter (A to B), which is all that is possible. (See Kauffman on the "adjacent possible.") The two most comprehensive articles I've written on this are probably:
https://underthrow.substack.com/p/asymptotic-anarchism-for-anti-authoritarians
https://underthrow.substack.com/p/introducing-metapolitics
But you'll find most of the big proposals in print. BTW, you've inspired me to write something on the adjacent possible.
Excellent! Thank you for your detailed response. I look forward to reading both the article you linked and the one on its way. 🙏
Coercive civil authority is inherently, intrinsically evil. Yes, even if "voting" is involved.
#CCAIIIE
How to ABOLISH POLITICS? Glad you asked. Here's your answer:
https://www.academia.edu/94852006/Sortition_Problem_Solved
It's simply this: UNSTRATIFIED SORTITION.
It's easy to see and say what's wrong, but how to see and say how things should be? I have seen much of substack what is wrong but precious little of how things should be. It's becoming clear that we don't know how to do right and never will.
I'm curious about how long you've been a reader. I have a LOT of material on how things could be, which I'm happy to share. My friend Michael Strong taught me the phrase "Criticize by Creating," which I try to live by.
Maybe attention only attaches to negatives -- in memories as well as in actually occurring.
You're right about that. And it's a good reminder that I need to bring optimism and good ideas/innovations to these pages.
I read a description once that described a snowball effect turning into an avalanche and how you can no more reverse THAT process, than you could fix the problems that industrial capitalism has created.
Just try to keep your chin up and dodge the boulders and wait for the rumbling to stop.
Interesting, huh? Well, whatever you assume about whom I vote for will be wrong, because I don't vote. Unlike you, I don't use scatology or racism to evaluate people's positions or electoral choices. Off you go.