[dnautics]

That's all fine and good until "we" decide that the "best collective interest" is to defund gradstudent's research in favor of something else more politically expedient. Then gradstudent throws a hissyfit because the collective interest is not his interest. Who's the selfish one then?

[aaren]

All of us.

The purpose of government is to marshal these selfish urges such that we benefit as a whole.

Whether or not that happens is a political problem. That the political system can be captured by politically expedient interests is a political problem.

Of course gradstudent should throw a hissyfit, if it is in their interest - would you expect anything less?

[dnautics]

"The purpose of government is to marshal these selfish urges such that we benefit as a whole."

I think a lot of people think that's what government should do, but you should really think hard about why that's a bad idea. Who is "we"? Who gets to really decide what is "benefit"? Who gets to decide what is "selfish"? And how can I be that person so that I can screw over gradstudent, and bring about benefits, which, oh by the way, also REALLY benefit my friends and family? Some animals are just.... More equal than others.

[aaren]

> Who is "we"?

society

> Who gets to really decide what is "benefit"?

society

> Who gets to decide what is "selfish"?

individuals

> And how can I be that person ?

society is not one person.

> Some animals are just.... More equal than others.

Which is why the pigs need constant replacement, power must be diffusely held and the executive must be separate from the judiciary.

[gradstudent]

Spot on.