What is the proper role of government?

[Ezra Smack]

What is the proper roll of government?

I believe it is to protect life, liberty and property by providing a military, a police force and a court system to protect its citizens fron force and fraud.

[6SpeedTA95]

Thats a pretty broad question.

I think government also has an obligation to fund vital infrastructure...problem is that everyone has a differing view of "vital". I view roads as vital infrastructure. I believe the majority of roads should be funded by state/local governments with federal highways being paid for in part by federal dollars.

I also think government should help provide BASIC education to its citizens. Basic being K-12 but I think the government must allow localities much more control over their education standards and cirriculum. They also need to leverage the free market tools to provide ever increasing levels of education instead of the decreasing levels we've seen since world war II.

[Joe Castro]

I probably won't find much agreement here though i will make my voice heard.

What government should do is provide a mechanism for the organisation of people and resources. It should serve as a means of protection, protection from criminality, poverty, exploitation, inequality of opportunity and preventable illness. It should act as a mechanism for people to grow and fulfill their potential as people.

To do this we need a police force, a court system, a military and a national health service. The people through the government should own production and key services. It would have to provide all with an equal standard of education.

These are the basics i believe any adequate government must provide and strive to.

[JaJae]

I think our preamble says it well:

1 - A government should work to better itself
2 - It should provide a system of justice and rule of law
3 - Insure domestic tranquility
4 - Provide a common defense
5 - Promote the general welfare of the society
6 - Secure our liberties

[6SpeedTA95]

Originally Posted by JaJae

I think our preamble says it well:


5 - Promote the general welfare of the society
6 - Secure our liberties

These last two poitns are major points of contention in the modern world...and number five especially generates TONS of controversy. Some saying it gives the government ability to levee taxes and give away money ot the poor at the expense of those who have been successful. Others say it is merely stating that the government should make sure basic rights are afforded its citizens...

The definition of "general welfare" is hotly contested.

[David Octavius]

There will never be a general agreement of what the proper role of government is and I think that is a good thing. As soon as there is one "right" way there is oppression.

[kinggovernor]

the better question to ask is: why should the government get involved?

[6SpeedTA95]

Originally Posted by kinggovernor

the better question to ask is: why should the government get involved?

ooooh, I like it!

[kinggovernor]

Originally Posted by 6SpeedTA95

ooooh, I like it!

I don't even say that as a libertarian point, but it is the question that should be asked about all government policy.

The shortest and best outline of this idea can be found here:
A Practical Guide for Policy ... - Google Book Search