The absence of taxation is not a prerequisite for prosperity. Government is the only institution that we, as citizens of secular democracies, have to protect u

The absence of taxation is not a prerequisite for prosperity. Government is the only institution that we, as citizens of secular democracies, have to protect us from undue influence from theocracy and plutocracy - and taxation is the most efficient way to fund this. Most governments are failing at exacting their democratic duties, however, because over the last 50 years, through incredibly effective lobbying, they have allowed themselves to be captured by special interests and the actual rules and accountability frameworks that governments operate within have been distorted and perverted. This has happened to the point that most western nations may still have 1 person == 1 vote, but they barely have representative democracy. We need to reform government and strengthen its ability to act as the trusted protector of its people against unhealthy factional interests, not destroy it.