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The problem I see with every discussion like this is despite this talking about experiences in Finland and applicability to Canada, Americans always assume that

The problem I see with every discussion like this is despite this talking about experiences in Finland and applicability to Canada, Americans always assume that the CORERCT way to view government and the role of government is how it was laid down in the American constitution. I am surprised so few Americans seem to realize they are imposing an entirely American centric view of the role of government and the rights of citizens. Every country has different traditions and understanding of the role government should play. There is no right answer to this. One must be able to argue this philosophically, without attempting to settle the matter as some sort of legal battle in court where one can "win" the argument by presenting legal text from the American constitution.

Hamuko 7y ago
>I am surprised so few Americans seem to realize they are imposing an entirely American centric view of the role of government and the rights of citizens. I'm not the least bit surprised actually.
Kaiyou 7y ago
There is always a right answer. It's jut not guarenteed that you know if it a the right answer.
- socialdemocrat 7y ago
  There is no right answer because it is not like a math question. It is a question of values. What is the correct answer depends on what you value. What you think society should be optimized for, and assumptions you make about human nature.
  - Kaiyou 7y ago
    But even then, there is a correct answer. You just don't know which it is. Or are you suggesting that opposing value systems are both correct? Going a step back and looking at what you think society should be optimized for is also just a question. The interesting part is figuring out the correct answer. Possibly the questions themselves are wrong, because you answered a preceding question wrongly. But none of that changes that there is always a right answer, even if you ask the wrong question.

Hamuko 7y ago

>I am surprised so few Americans seem to realize they are imposing an entirely American centric view of the role of government and the rights of citizens. I'm not the least bit surprised actually.

Kaiyou 7y ago

There is always a right answer. It's jut not guarenteed that you know if it a the right answer.

socialdemocrat 7y ago
There is no right answer because it is not like a math question. It is a question of values. What is the correct answer depends on what you value. What you think society should be optimized for, and assumptions you make about human nature.
- Kaiyou 7y ago
  But even then, there is a correct answer. You just don't know which it is. Or are you suggesting that opposing value systems are both correct? Going a step back and looking at what you think society should be optimized for is also just a question. The interesting part is figuring out the correct answer. Possibly the questions themselves are wrong, because you answered a preceding question wrongly. But none of that changes that there is always a right answer, even if you ask the wrong question.