The role of the state

[John K. Taber]

I read in Popper that according to Hume the State originates as
the tool of the conqueror to control the conquered. Popper seems
to agree, but says regardless of the State's original purpose,
there is no reason it cannot be used otherwise today. He says
that the State can be used to mediate between the conflicting
interests within a society, instead of merely being a one-sided
tool.

Do you all think that Popper is foolish, or does he have a point?

Charles Brown wrote:
> 
> Engels defined the state ast he repressive apparatus and
> organized force (standing bodies
> of armed personnel, prisons etc.) which through its
> history has been the instrument of the ruling
> classes in controlling the exploited classes.
> 
> Doug seems to refer to the socialist state,
> which is aimed in theory to be for
> the repression of the bourgeoisie by
> the working class.
> 
> Now, make fun of the above.
> 
> Charles Brown
> 
> >From the market to the Marxit
> 
> >>> Doug Henwood <dhenwood at panix.com> 10/06 3:42 PM >>>
> Brett Knowlton wrote:
> 
> >This got me wondering - what do you think is the ideal role of the state?
> >Where do you think it should be involved, etc.?  Maybe this is too much of
> >an open question, but I'll ask it anyway.
> 
> Heavens. You know, to expropriate the expropriators and all. The rest is
> beyond me now.
> 
> Doug

-- 
I've been able to string more words into fewer ideas than anybody I
know, and I'm continuing to do that.

     - Alan Greenspan to the Senate Budget Committee, Sept 23, 1998