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What makes a just government?

IValueFreedom

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What is it about a government that makes one system more just than another.

For those of you who believe democracy to be the best form of government, what characteristic does it produce/possess that makes it more just over other forms?

Same question for those who believe socialism, communism, or any other form is more just.

What makes a just society?

Tomorrow, I will provide my personal views, until then, I would appriciate it if people provided theirs.

Thanks :)
 
Just (Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary)
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French & Latin; Middle French juste, from Latin justus, from jus right, law; akin to Sanskrit yos welfare
1a: having a basis in or conforming to fact or reason : REASONABLE <a just but not a generous decision>;
b (archaic): faithful to an original;
c: conforming to a standard of correctness : PROPER <just proportions>;
2a (1): acting or being in conformity with what is morally upright or good : RIGHTEOUS <a just war>; (2): being what is merited : DESERVED <a just punishment>;
b: legally correct : LAWFUL <just title to an estate>.

IValueFreedom said:
What is it about a government that makes one system more just than another.

Greater conformity to a standard of correctness : more acting or being in conformity with what is morally upright or good.

IValueFreedom said:
For those of you who believe [monarchy] to be the best form of government, what characteristic does it produce/possess that makes it more just over other forms?

The absence of relative morality.

IValueFreedom said:
What makes a just society?

Conformity to a standard of correctness : acting or being in conformity with what is morally upright or good.

And of course, that begs the question as to who will establish the standard to be justly maintained!
 
I personally believe democracy to be the the most just form of government, but with a couple of strong caveats.

First, the democracy must be by direct representation with a specific "shelf-life" if you will for all such representatives. This constant overturning of representation aids in curbing corruption by having a constant change and reform within the government.

Secondly, all form of religion must be aggressively denied access and influence over the administration of said government. Allowing religious influence only leads to moral justification of the ruling body no matter what the moral consequences. (If you are interested, see Utility of Religions thread.)

Finally, the government would almost have to ban formation of political parties in order to maintain a strict agenda of serving the constituents represented. The formation of parties, as we have seen in this country, has led to extreme agenda taking precedent over the desires of the people. Eliminating the partisan climate would aid in stopping this and curbing the self righteous warring that impedes the work of congress.
 
jallman said:
I personally believe democracy to be the the most just form of government, but with a couple of strong caveats.

First, the democracy must be by direct representation with a specific "shelf-life" if you will for all such representatives. This constant overturning of representation aids in curbing corruption by having a constant change and reform within the government.

Secondly, all form of religion must be aggressively denied access and influence over the administration of said government. Allowing religious influence only leads to moral justification of the ruling body no matter what the moral consequences. (If you are interested, see Utility of Religions thread.)

Finally, the government would almost have to ban formation of political parties in order to maintain a strict agenda of serving the constituents represented. The formation of parties, as we have seen in this country, has led to extreme agenda taking precedent over the desires of the people. Eliminating the partisan climate would aid in stopping this and curbing the self righteous warring that impedes the work of congress.

Well, according to the, wait, actually I think its the Book Of Mormon,
A righteous king was ruler but then he knew the heirs werent so he set up a system of judges. Thats all I have to say on that matter
 
Gideon said:
A righteous [sovereign] ... a system of judges.

Yes: Righteousness must precede justice, and I believe the oldest record of just decisions ever coming through a system of discerning judges under a righteous sovereign can be found in the book of the Exodus.
 
IValueFreedom said:
What is it about a government that makes one system more just than another.

For those of you who believe democracy to be the best form of government, what characteristic does it produce/possess that makes it more just over other forms?

Same question for those who believe socialism, communism, or any other form is more just.

What makes a just society?

Tomorrow, I will provide my personal views, until then, I would appriciate it if people provided theirs.

Thanks :)

Democracy by itself doesn't guarantee a fair form of government. Majority rule can exclude minorities. There is a need to guarantee individual rights. In the US the Bill of Rights serves that function.
 
leejosepho said:
Yes: Righteousness must precede justice, and I believe the oldest record of just decisions ever coming through a system of discerning judges under a righteous sovereign can be found in the book of the Exodus.
Ah yes thats what I was trying to get at! :mrgreen:
Exactly.
 
I prefer a Republic style government... It allows for reletively small groups of people, with similiar wishes, ideologies, relgions etc. to rule themselves without the lesser problem of hurting a minority. In democracy its very easy for the 51% majority to take the rights of the other 49%. It may take away rights, but only of a very small majority. I think communism is horrible... it doesn't allow for the humane right of personal responsibility or motivation... Socialism is the same to a lesser extent. A FAIR Capitalistic system is supreme... a sink or swim society... those who sink should know that it was their own choice... It retains personal responsibility.
 
I think that either a Republic, or Democratic-Republic is the best form of government. From what I've seen it's the best way to give power to the citizens while giving the best chance of good treatment to all citizens. It is better than democracy because it seems to have less of a chance of having the minority oppressed by the ignorant majority.
 
Any government that takes the needs of it's citizens into consideration, protects those citizens and their economic interests, and allows for scientific progress to be made regardless of any religious superstitions is "just" in my view.
 
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