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just-a-dreamer- t1_jcp9h28 wrote

Reply to comment by Zealousideal_Ad3783 in Midjourney v5 is now beyond the uncanny valley effect, I can no longer tell it's fake by Ok_Sea_6214

And they will defend you because? Little history lesson by Niccolò Machiavelli who wrote about the dangers of mercenaries.

"The fact is, they have no other attraction or reason for keeping the field than a trifle of stipend, which is not sufficient to make them willing to die for you. They are ready enough to be your soldiers whilst you do not make war, but if war comes they take themselves off or run from the foe;

The mercenary captains are either capable men or they are not; if they are, you cannot trust them, because they always aspire to their own greatness, either by oppressing you, who are their master, or others contrary to your intentions; but if the captain is not skilful, you are ruined in the usual way."

Point is, mercaneries are loyal untill they are not. They band with any gang that is out for plunder and cut your throat.

I recently read an article that 15% of rural families were displaced from their land in cartel controlled areas of Columbia. Where the government is weak, the strong rule eventually and take what they want.

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Zealousideal_Ad3783 t1_jcpasv5 wrote

If private property rights are generally respected in a society, violent plunderers would be outcompeted by peaceful organizations. Public opinion would be against the criminal gang.

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just-a-dreamer- t1_jcpfa3q wrote

That is called government then. Property owners coming together and provide mutual defence of shared interest.

If I lack property and have nothing to lose, why would I respect your property? That is against human nature.

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Zealousideal_Ad3783 t1_jcpfo0b wrote

The phrase “property owners coming together and providing mutual defense of shared interest” does not describe the state, it describes a private company, because it’s consensual. The state is the institution with a monopoly on violence, and by definition it’s not based on consent.

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Dwanyelle t1_jcql6o7 wrote

Who says the state isn't based on consent? There are plenty that aren't, and none that completely do, but it is at least something tried for among certain governments.

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Dwanyelle t1_jcqlbht wrote

In a representative government, it's whole idea is that it is based on consent. The problem becomes folks with already a ton being greedy fucks who can bride the people running the government, since humans are fallible.

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