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Nation Building and the Origin of Government, Period 5, Class 8, Thursday, 3-3

"Welcome back," Alex began, leaning back against her desk with the typical disposable cup of tea in one hand. The tea bag was wrapped around the fingers of her other hand, and she dunked while she talked. "This week, we were going to tackle the minutiae of imports and exports, but you're all just back from break, and I'd rather not put you to sleep. So we're jumping ahead."

"We've had a few disagreements so far," she said, "which is ideal. This class should be about confronting conflicting preconceptions. And I've been disagreeing with most of you, where I can, to play devil's-advocate, though sometimes I slip up on that. This week, we're going to confront one of the essential conflicts head-on."

She took a sip before continuing. "We've had some very basic disagreements about what the size and scope of a government should be, varying from a laissez-faire hands-off approach, one that allows the people freedom and trusts in their better nature, all the way to one that dictates its citizens' very lives based on their genetic codes. What should a government do, and what shouldn't it?"

"The less services we provide, the less we need to tax our citizens, and the less restrictions we need to place on them. But the less services we provide generally means the less we're able to care for those citizens who've fallen on bad times. And we can trust in our citizens, to some extent, but we should also remember that they'll be looking after their own interests first."

Another sip, and then she smiled at her students. "We're going to tackle a few specific scenarios, today, and then next week we'll look at the bigger picture."

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Like you're still on spring break.

Prince Alexander of Daventry

Karla

Squall Leonhart

Warren Worthington III

Leda

Anduin Wrynn

Shira

Tahiri Veila

Jack McCallister

Leia Organa

Take notes, pass them (discreetly), contemplate governmental services.

Alex was now passing out three-page handouts to her students.

"We're tackling three elements today," she said. "Education, poverty, and the fire department. You're to tell me -- and your fellow students -- which route your country will follow, and how you will avoid the obvious pitfalls noted in each."

The handout reads as follows:

FUNDED VIA TAXES

Region A funds education as a tax based on property values. As a result, the wealthy capital city has well-paid teachers and the best supplies, while the poorest city has run-down facilities and underpaid teachers. As a result, the rich are getting a better education than the poor.

FUNDED VIA DONATION

In Region B, citizens are encouraged, but not required, to contribute money for the general education of their town. Unfortunately, the citizens in one outlying city are largely retirees who do not wish to give their money towards educating the young, leaving the few parents struggling to contribute enough money to properly fund their children's education.

FUNDED VIA THIRD PARTY

Region C suggests that private groups take over the funding of education. A corporation contributes the money for public schools, but asks for some small changes to the curriculum in order to better serve its interests.

Pick the one which closest fits your ideal government, and argue your way out of the potential disasters involved. Or come up with an alternative, in which case, be prepared for Alex to poke holes in it.

(Messy is good -- feel free to ping off one another zomg!)

Edited 2011-03-03 19:32 (UTC)

"All three of those are stupid," Squall replied. "All the schools in the region should be funded equally, and the money should come from taxes. Education is too important to screw up."

"Funding is usually decided on the local level," Alex said. "Whether the school wants to spend money upgrading its textbooks this year, or if they want to add a pool or expand the campus grounds. How do we determine those matters if the funds aren't coming from the community?"

Squall shrugged. "I don't know. Some sort of country-wide standards? I'd set up a committee to decide that sort of thing. One thing I know for sure -- no school's getting a pool until every school in the country has textbooks and computers and teachers that are good enough."

"The pools aren't for show," Alex explained. "They're generally part of a segment on physical education. Students should know how to swim, and aquatics are easier on certain physical conditions."

"Pools are also expensive to build and maintain," Squall countered. "Students can learn to swim in a lake if they have to. Textbooks and classrooms are more important."

Page two of the handout:

FUNDED BY TAXES

In region A, citizens are taxed in order to care for those under a poverty line, who receive governmental checks. As a result, there are a small number of working poor for whom it is wiser to refuse work and stay on assistance, than to accept a job, be ineligible for benefits, and pay out-of-pocket for work-related expenses (i.e., bus fare, child care). The catch-22 makes it difficult for those on assistance to leave.

FUNDED VIA DONATION

Region B does not provide for the less fortunate, asking instead that citizens choose to give the money themselves. Region B then experiences a serious economic downturn, wherein the majority of citizens feel their budgets are too pinched to provide for others. Donations dry up, and the poor are given little to no assistance at all.

FUNDED VIA THIRD PARTY

In Region C, privatized third parties care for the less fortunate. In many towns, the local religious affiliations provide safe houses for the poor as a good deed. Unfortunately, in one outlying city, the prevailing religion specifies that its services are only for members of that faith, and forces conversion on those who are starving before allowing them food.

Pick the one which closest fits your ideal government, and argue your way out of the potential disasters involved. Or come up with an alternative, in which case, be prepared for Alex to poke holes in it.

(ping one another, for messy is yay!)

Edited 2011-03-03 19:33 (UTC)

"Those all still suck," Squall grumbled. "I'm not sure what to do. But whatever the solution is, it's definitely the government's responsibility to care for its citizens."

"There usually isn't a right answer, in government," Alex explained. "Every method has its drawbacks. How are you defining 'care,' in this case?"

"Just the basics," Squall answered. "Food, shelter, running water, health care, education, electricity, heating in the winter... You know, stuff people can't go without."

"That can add up quickly," Alex said. "What kind of food? How extensive is the health care? How many levels of education are we covering? I assume we're also contributing clothing, since that's a necessity. And homes, since people need a place to live? How are we funding all of this?"

"Taxes, I guess," Squall answered. "I don't know how much of what or anything -- just as much as possible for as cheaply as possible. Maybe the people being helped can be put to work growing their own food or something. They get the same health care and education as everyone else, though."

Page three:

FUNDED VIA TAXES

As with education, in Region A, the fire department is funded based on property values. This works well in the city. In rural areas, where the population decreases and land size increases, this leaves one overworked fire department servicing a vast physical area. Response times are painfully slow.

FUNDED VIA DONATIONS

In Region B, volunteers serve the local fire department with pride. As the volunteers are unpaid, most work regular jobs in their free time. There are insufficient volunteers to cover the area, and volunteers must prioritize their work schedule and paying jobs over a fire call (lest they lose those jobs).

FUNDED VIA THIRD PARTY

Region C's volunteers bond together to form a privatized fire department, asking for donations from the town to fund their needs and pay them a nominal salary. Over time, those who contribute are promised faster response times and prioritized service.

Pick the one which closest fits your ideal government, and argue your way out of the potential disasters involved. Or come up with an alternative, in which case, be prepared for Alex to poke holes in it.

(again with the messy!)

Edited 2011-03-03 19:32 (UTC)

Squall rolled his eyes. "Fund it with taxes, but spread the fire departments out better. Instead of one overworked department in the rural areas, have a lot of smaller ones. Problem solved."

"A lot of smaller ones is going to require a major increase in funds," Alex explained. "The majority of the time, those smaller ones will be servicing an area that doesn't need them. Fires are rare. If you skeletonize the crew, you risk being understaffed for a large fire; but if you have a number of employees, then you're essentially paying them for nothing ninety-nine percent of the time."

Squall frowned at her. "...Right," he answered. "That's what fire departments do. You pay them to do nothing most of the time, because when you need them they shouldn't be doing something else."

If she's here.

Karla was here and very sad to have missed discussing contracts while she was gone. She would have loved to discuss Court contracts with people! The ones for Consorts would have gone over swimmingly, she was sure!

She's here.

FUCKING HELL, LJ, STOP EATING MY PINGS. I AM TRYING TO POST OCD HERE.

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Nation Building and the Origin of Government, Period 5, Class 8, Thursday, 3-3

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