We haven’t solved the problem of governance. The End of History seemed close in the 1990s. But we’re back to being torn between the efficiency (and short-term stability) of authoritarian models against the flexibility (and long-term stability) of democratic ones. Until we find the model that just works, this competition is probably the best interim solution.
Even for countries, they absolutely can be efficient, it's just the efficiency is directed at stuff The Leader wants rather than stuff The People want.
I was talking about overall and general efficiency, authoritarian states are less economically, militarily and scientifically efficient than their freer counterparts. They may be effective at pursuing specific policy goals, and there are authoritarian states that have sufficient mass that they can achieve a lot in any given field, but they are usually more effective at giving the appearance of effectiveness that they are than actually achieving anything. Either way, effectiveness is not efficiency.
How can you enforce legislation without authority? But also, how can you foster innovation without liberty?
Well, the question of the specific make up of an entire governing model, complex as that would be, is an important question. I don’t think it’s the question that’s key here.
What I was referring to was we need a world that is without borders and doesn’t incentivize existential competition between different groups.
We’re smart enough to figure out how to all get along if we can just be better, than the way we’re made. Compulsive, animal natures.
And that’s why I think we should give ourselves trickier governing challenges, such as figuring out how to create this world without borders. You’re not always air quotes ready before you take the leap, whatever it is.
governance ≠ government
As long as extortion is involved, the various organs have no incentive to improve, and further more succumb to mission creep (1) to justify and expand their budget, necessitating further extortion.
1. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mission%20creep
No, I don’t want anyone to have nuclear codes. And yes, I want someone to ensure randos aren’t building nukes.
> governance ≠ government
Sure, but to the degree we’ve made progress on the problem of governance, it’s been in proving the necessity of government. Anarchist collectives far well until someone comes to take their stuff; this is basically the warlord era of any civilisation.
I think there's a pretty strong argument that global military is close to a zero-sum game, but I agree that this doesn't mean there is a obvious alternative.
Last, I think it's pretty indisputable that there's been significant scope creep given that western government taxation & spending are now pushing 50% of GDP. If you look at the US, the federal government was 2% of GDP in 1920, and closer to 25% today. This is despite 10x in inflation adjusted GDP per capita. This means that more realistically, government is consuming/directing 100x more productive capacity per person.
https:/www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8pcb4xyCic