[beerandt]

It's payment for justice. We just call it taxes and police. They call it tribute and protection, or something else. The same basic functions are being fulfilled in different ways.

[danans]

I agree that they share many characteristics and objectives, derived ultimately from certain realities of the ways humans operate.

But I do contend that the better forms of government that are less mafia-like. Obviously absolute monarchies and dictatorships aren't among them.