End Social Decay?

Legitimacy, Good Faith and Citizenship

To “end social delay, build trust”. Link courtesy of, and quote from, velvetpage. Fascinating take on altruism and government, and the link between the two.

Excerpts:

Such is the way of the human custom of reciprocal altruism: it isn’t quid pro quo exactly. It’s the willingness to give of ourselves, our resources and our rights on the basis that the beneficiary would do the same for us. Thus the ideals of the modern liberal state have always served a dual function: emphasis on equality and the rule of law helps citizens by protecting their ethical interests, and by protecting its relationship with the individual citizens, the state ensures its “legitimacy.” People respect the law when they feel it respects them.

. . .

If the politically-active classes want to restore Americans’ sense of national duty, they should begin by reforming the way the American state interacts with its citizens. Only after the myriad small oppressions created by apathy and bad faith are corrected will the average American come to appreciate the responsibilities of citizenship.

Tags: community, politics