State vs Government

[problem_child]

In my opinion there's a difference between Government (democratic process, social infrastructure) and State (Military, Law-enforcement).

The Left tends to be pro-Government, the Right tends to be pro-State.

What are your thoughts on this?

[connorkimbro]

at first i thought you meant a difference between the levels of government, but i see that you don't really mean that now. you might wanna clarify that, as some people here will misunderstand. . .

anyway, yes, your right. The differences between the two aren't part of any definition really, it's just the result that seems apparent when you look at the way we have divided powers in the US. The constitution gives some specific powers to State governments, and keeps some powers for itself. If you examine other countries, you will find those same powers divided up differently.

Hopefully that made sense.

[Az]

BUNCH OF BULL***T. There is no difference between the government and the state. Even according your definitions, which are wrong, you can't take them apart.



This is coming from a lefty, btw.



YAY GOVERNMENT! BOO STATE!

[SlowwHand]

The United States is built on State's rights, no matter what Azazel boos.
I don't particularly agree with your analogy though.

[problem_child]

It's a rough analogy, I suppose the Presidents is there to resolve the clashes of interests that arise from the overlap (with Republican Presidents favouring the State and Democrat Presidents favouring Government, government being things like healthcare, education, welfare for the people as opposed to welfare for the corporations, etc.)

[Az]

Originally posted by SlowwHand
The United States is built on State's rights, no matter what Azazel boos.
I don't particularly agree with your analogy though.

a)That's not what I was talking about.
b)If it was built on states' right, why aren't you a confederate slave driver?

[SlowwHand]

Hung up on that, are you?

Let me ask this. Why are there no uniform laws regarding murder and drug use?
Why don't be skip forward a couple of centuries?

[Az]

why are there federal laws on issues not concerning the state then?

[SlowwHand]

Exactly, Azazel. Thank you.

[Az]

I meant the "federal government".

[SlowwHand]

So did I.

[problem_child]

Ahh, sweet confusion.

This thread is one of my 'multi-directional interesting point generators' I think.

[laurentius]

Actually State vs. Gorvernment is a very complex issue. It's one of those questions that can't be given a definate answer for. Even if it has been very largely discussed in political science.

[GePap]

There is a difference between "the state" and "the government": The government is transiatory, refering to either one executive's term or more likely one consitutional regime (Like in France, first republic, 2nd republic, 1st empire, 2nd, and then the monarchies, different houses, blah) the State is, well, no as transiatory. NOw, the distinction you make as far as powers are concerned is faulty: all those things fall under Government, since each government makes new policies for law enforecement and defense (offense).

As for how the left and right stand on the issue: I do think the right cares more about "the state" than the left, and presses for policvies they think will enhance or perpetuate "the state"more than the left.

[Sava]

Slowwhand, you are refering to separation of powers in a federal system, I'm not sure if that is what the thread starter is talking about.

Problem_child: I believe your perception is that government has different responsibilities. The term "state" refers to two things...

1. a level of government in the federal system
2. a synonym of government

PC: is your post about how government should be organized at the federal level? if not, please elaborate.