Taxation is done to keep the state alive. Calling it extortion is ridiculous, and misses the historical and social reasons we have tax. Sure, maybe it feels like extortion because there's a threat of punishment, but a having a government is the natural state of things, and they do provide some very beneficial services. Perhaps it's because I think Hobbes provides realistic perspectives on the existence of the state, that I don't think it's so evil and immoral. I actually do think having a state is a useful, noble thing, and I think it's rather clear that any stateless entity will not have any longevity, not because it's unstable, but because more powerful actors will always come in.
Extortion is done to fund a mafia's activities, and the bosses' yachts and so on. Calling it extortion is ridiculous and misses the historical and social reasons we have mafias. Sure, maybe it feels like extortion because it is, but having a mafia is the natural state of things, and they do provide some very beneficial protection services.Taxation is done to keep the state alive.
Calling it extortion is ridiculous, and misses the historical and social reasons we have tax.
Sure, maybe it feels like extortion because there's a threat of punishment, but a having a government is the natural state of things, and they do provide some very beneficial services.
How do you even establish property in the first place?Extortion is done to fund a mafia's activities, and the bosses' yachts and so on.
Except people being extorted by the mafia are not part of the mafia, nor have any say in its activities. A representative government is different.