4 ms·
Libra shows what crypto and in particular blockchain is really for: allowing global megacorporations to start their assault on the nation state. It's pretty cri
by hkt 7y ago
Libra shows what crypto and in particular blockchain is really for: allowing global megacorporations to start their assault on the nation state. It's pretty critical we undo this, while the nation state still has its monopoly on the legitimate use of force.
- antidesitter 7y agoNot everyone shares your adoration for "the nation state".
- p_l 7y agoNation state is still better than corporation
- antidesitter 7y agoNo. It’s usually much worse, actually.
- atemerev 7y agoWhy do we need nation states?
- p_l 7y agoNation in nation state is pretty recent addition and already dying off (fortunately), but the state owing allegiance to its citizens (ever imperfect) is better than slide back to feudal-authoritarian corporation that is in no way on the hook for anything towards the common man.
- wyoh 7y agoAt least you can choose the corporation you want to deal with, unlike the nation state you live in.
- jacobush 7y agoOnly because the nation states force this on the corporations. Do you really think the corporation would let you choose anything if they were let unchecked? You'd have to pick your allegiance and then face the consequences. Or they'd pick you before you had a chance to choose yourself. Do you think the lords of old let the serfs have a say in whether they wanted to leave or stay? No. It would be the same for us. Going to digital lords and barons and no states to rein them in would be regressing.
- antidesitter 7y agoIt’s actually the opposite. States reduce choices available to customers. See my sibling comment for an example: the cable industry.
- wolco 7y agoIt is not that simple. Policy can increase or decrease competition. Breaking up Ma Bell as an example. Overall governments increase standards which can lead to few players but it can also help an industry grow quicker and allow for more complex/value products/services which creates an industry around it helping support it (shopify)
- antidesitter 7y ago> Breaking up Ma Bell as an example. The Ma Bell monopoly was created by government in the first place.
- jacobush 7y agoAnd this fact is supposed to support what argument exactly?
- antidesitter 7y agoRead the grandparent comment.
- antidesitter 7y ago> corporation that is in no way on the hook for anything towards the common man. It is, because corporations have stronger incentives than governments to benefit the common man.
- erikpukinskis 7y agoMegacorps only need to benefit a large number of people, where democracies need to benefit a majority. In theory.
- antidesitter 7y ago> democracies need to benefit a majority Not at all. See “concentrated benefits and diffuse costs”.
- carterehsmith 7y agoWhat do you propose instead?
- hkt 7y agoFor those asking why we need the nation state: because in most countries, this is part and parcel of having a democracy. Celebrate the death of the nation state, you celebrate the death of democracy in itself. Against democracy? Start another thread explaining why you're so damn clever you'd wind back centuries of political progress.