[hackuser]

> The difference is that if private institution that issues "toms safety certification" takes a bribe it is a very shortsighted strategy ... Government-powered institutions can take bribes for years, or even decades without ever being punished for that, or being put out of business.

That's a theory, but the theory does not describe reality. Reality is that human beings defraud each other frequently, and in fact that is one of the main reasons we have governments, laws, and regulations. When you buy a house or obtain a loan or some software, or walk down the street, do you assume nobody would be doing anything corrupt or fraudulant, just trusting everyone? Of course not.

Anarchy leads to chaos and conflict. Caveat emptor.

EDIT: Major edit

[brianlweiner]

Maybe I'm confused, but reality definitely includes several independent certification organizations. e.g UL, NSF International.

And of course when I buy a house the government doesn't provide an inspector, instead I have to choose from any number of independent home inspectors (some better than others).

Now of course they're often confirming that construction has been done to code (plumbing, electrical, etc), but it's not a far jump to say that these codes could be established and maintained by independent groups like IEEE rather than the specific city and state authorities.

[hackuser]

> it's not a far jump to say that these codes could be established and maintained by independent groups like IEEE rather than the specific city and state authorities.

It's a bit of a jump. The "independent" groups are not independent but are run by the inudstry being regulated, and will act accordingly. Government is responsible to its citizens.

[mamon]

Ok, I can see I need to clarify my point. I am not opposed to a government or laws or regulations as such. What I am opposed to are laws and regulations that give some officials power to make arbitrary decisions granting one individual or company permission to do something and declining similar permission to another individual or company. Such decision-making power is the root of corruption. Some regulations are inevitable, but we should try to keep their number at the minimum.