Wow. You don't sound like a fanatic, but I do think I have much clarifying to do.
Your criticism of my position actually simply does not apply. One major problem is that you incorrectly assume that "holding governments responsible for their decisions" implies "a necessity for 'more laws'".
The converse is actually true. "More laws" is a kneejerk, unconsidered reaction that results from an absence of real responsibility and accountability.
Nowhere did I call for more laws, either directly or indirectly.
I'm actually not an American, so this "state versus federal" thing is totally off the map for me. I understand it's an issue for Americans, though.
Accountability is a simple thing, logically and ethically The difficulty in untangling practical issues belies the simplicity of the theory. Once an action is deliberate and has predictable results, the actor is morally/ logically responsible. Governments make deliberate decisions, so they should be held responsible for the predictable results of those actions. This does not imply jail; jail is not an appropriate response to all wrongdoing- that's another peculiarly American error. The USA has a higher proportion of their populace in jail than any- other- country, partially because that error is a common one.
Another problem lies with my use/your interpretation of the term "government". The use of the term does not imply universal governmental responsibility for localised governmental misdeed. Responsibility follows power, and sections/ actors within government can only be held responsible for actions over which they had actual power.
So I understand your points, and even agree with them to a degree, but see them as refuting odd American warpings of my point, and not actually addressing my point at all.
I hope this clarifies,
adrian.
P.S. I share your affinity for precise communication; but normal, routine differences in idiom mean that such affinity can increase misunderstanding if we are not careful!
P.P.S. Don't take my references to America as constituting anti-Americanism; America is a country of unusual error as well as unusual virtue; her virtue is, however, outside the scope of this response. :-)
no subject
Your criticism of my position actually simply does not apply. One major problem is that you incorrectly assume that "holding governments responsible for their decisions" implies "a necessity for 'more laws'".
The converse is actually true. "More laws" is a kneejerk, unconsidered reaction that results from an absence of real responsibility and accountability.
Nowhere did I call for more laws, either directly or indirectly.
I'm actually not an American, so this "state versus federal" thing is totally off the map for me. I understand it's an issue for Americans, though.
Accountability is a simple thing, logically and ethically The difficulty in untangling practical issues belies the simplicity of the theory. Once an action is deliberate and has predictable results, the actor is morally/ logically responsible. Governments make deliberate decisions, so they should be held responsible for the predictable results of those actions. This does not imply jail; jail is not an appropriate response to all wrongdoing- that's another peculiarly American error. The USA has a higher proportion of their populace in jail than any- other- country, partially because that error is a common one.
Another problem lies with my use/your interpretation of the term "government". The use of the term does not imply universal governmental responsibility for localised governmental misdeed. Responsibility follows power, and sections/ actors within government can only be held responsible for actions over which they had actual power.
So I understand your points, and even agree with them to a degree, but see them as refuting odd American warpings of my point, and not actually addressing my point at all.
I hope this clarifies,
adrian.
P.S. I share your affinity for precise communication; but normal, routine differences in idiom mean that such affinity can increase misunderstanding if we are not careful!
P.P.S. Don't take my references to America as constituting anti-Americanism; America is a country of unusual error as well as unusual virtue; her virtue is, however, outside the scope of this response. :-)