Communitarian Continuum

All societies find themselves grappling with where to place themselves on the communitarian continuum, which looks as follows:

Anarchy ---------- Authoritarianism
(No Government) (Total Govrmt.)

Some states are closer to authoritarianism while some are closer to anarchy. History suggests that as states mature and grow they become more authoritarian unless reforms are enacted. Sometimes states even divide if the authoritarian pressures become too great on segments of the population. Many believe the United States is in need of such reforms now, while some do not have a problem with creeping authoritarianism.

Our Founders wanted to create a state that had just enough central control to create an economy of scale and to ensure for mutual defense. They believed it was important to create a country with a national identity but to also institutionalize safeguards that would keep the state from trampling on individual liberties. Republicans refer to this ideal as limited government, while anarchists like to talk about minarchy.

This is how the U.S. Founders may have viewed the preferred location on the communitarian continuum:

Anarchy ----------------------- Authoritarianism
               X

Where do you think we are today? If you believe we are too far to the right, you probably favor reform measures such as those offered by Libertarians, Conservatives, and Free Staters in New Hampshire that wish to move the X to the left. Their primary intention is to remove funding from government programs. If you believe we are not far enough to the right or things are just about right, you probably favor keeping things the same or creating more central planning (government) solutions, more laws, and more government programs. You will probably support Progressives or Socialists. The enactment of Obamacare with Medicaid expansion is an example of the desire to create more central management (authoritarianism).

So, if you see yourself as a limited government proponent, get behind people that are trying to move the X to the left. If you want more authoritarianism, get behind people that want to move the X to the right. It is a simple issue.

I am for simplicity, localism, small business, personal responsibility, community, and maximum creativity. Thus I favor reforms that would move us in that direction.