That's the real clash going on. The battle between the individual, their freedom and private property and the kleptocratic state ruled by the mob, be it via a fascist, communist, priesthood, or democratic method. The Islamic Jihad mob are just another in an eons-long schedule of individual suppression and confiscation of their property by people higher up the dominance hierarchy [called government these days].
Well stated Maurice.
But I prefer my explanation, as posed through a question..
What's the difference between Capitalism and Communism (or any totalitarian system)?
Under Capitalism, man exploits man.. Under Communism (etc), it's the other way around..
But at least in Captalism, Government regulation and oversight can work to hold private enterprise accountable and responsible to the society it is supposed to serve (rather than the other way around).. But totalitarian regimes ARE the government.. A government generally accountable only to the political apparatchiks and party membership.
Also, I would include denial of personal property as a major issue since most of these nations have only rudimentary, or literally no, actual property rights for anyone other than the power elite.
It's all a matter of where governmental authority derives from.. the people, or the barrel of a gun..
Hawk |
