Class Debate

[Slavoj Zizek's Balls]

No this isn't about class in terms of hierarchy unless we refer to teacher-student relations. Tomorrow my class is going to have a discussion based on whether "big government is bad government". I already have my views on this but I'd like to know what you all think so I can merge my thoughts with yours in preparation for the debate.

I would really like an Anarchist and Marxist-Leninist point of view on this topic but others are welcome of course. I started today's lesson wondering whether the debate would only be based on centre-left, centre-right and "centrist" viewpoints (as most subjects seem limit to students) but thankfully all aspects of the political spectrum can be involved :thumbup1: so I will carry the leftist torch there.

Thanks all.

[ed miliband]

"big government" in the sense it's used is a (neoliberal) beating stick for states with a (minimal) amount of welfare, a few concessions to the working-class. as such, a lot of leftists tend to get all het up defending "big government" from those attacking it. of course, we should defend what remains of welfare -- not even defend, demand more, but i'm not going to defend "big government".

i guess what i'm trying to say is there is no way you can have this class debate and approach the issue from an anarchist or marxist perspective on the terms that the debate is clearly set. really, "big government" and "small government" is a false dichotomy, and all government is "bad government".

[Catma]

Yeah, I'd say sabotage the whole debate by insisting on a definition of "big government".

[Hit The North]

As Ed points out, you will need to flip the question in order to participate.

A good starting point would be to argue that it's not the size of government that counts, but the powers it represents. You could then go on to critique the American system of government which is nothing but a cabal of the rich, whether Democrat or Republican, and provide an anarchist model of stateless self-government (or whatever; I'm not an anarchist).

[Slavoj Zizek's Balls]

I believe I can use Clock's, and indeed every other contribution, with this http://libcom.org/library/what-is-anarchism-alexander-berkman-3 section on how government is not legitimate. Taking legal and ethical representations of theft and law.

Would you agree with my plan?