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"Theft" is something which can't even exist in the absence of consensus on which objects you have the right to compel others to refraining from using. We have
by notahacker 3y ago
"Theft" is something which can't even exist in the absence of consensus on which objects you have the right to compel others to refraining from using.
We have that consensus, and relatively efficient enforcement of it, it just happens to disagree with you on what stuff's inalienably yours.
- sneak 3y agoIf we actually had that consensus, people would pay taxes willingly. They don’t, and they wouldn’t, because we do not have that consensus.
- notahacker 3y agoMany people do, actually. Either way, my point isn't that the consensus is unchallengeable. My point is that it's exactly the same consensus that makes "property" and "theft" actually things. Without any sort of consensus, "theft" is just a change in who's using an object and if you try to stop them you're the one initiating force. Quite a lot of people wouldn't willingly refrain from driving your car.