From: Hal
What does it mean to speak of a government in cyberspace? It is the government in physical space I fear. Its agents carry physical guns which shoot real bullets.
Jason W Solinsky writes
It depends on the government. You could set up a government to....
You could set up a "government" to make shoes. If they do not use guns they are not a government. If somebody does not make shoes he is not a shoemaker. Governments are in the business of violence.
Both of these examples are similar in that they are coercive. If you want to conduct business with the governments citizens you have to obey all the laws. But no force is involved. The will of the government is effected entirely by economics.
And if I wish to conduct business in a shopping mall, either as customer or shopkeeper, I have to abide by the mall rules. This does not make the mall a government. -- --------------------------------------------------------------------- We have the right to defend ourselves and our property, because of the kind of animals that we James A. Donald are. True law derives from this right, not from the arbitrary power of the omnipotent state. jamesd@netcom.com