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Idealists and punk rockers alike all seem to believe that utopia somehow exists. Yes, time and time again, I have heard these people saying stuff like, "An anarchist society would be so ideal," or "Anarchy would be absolutely wonderful."

Realistically speaking, one can't know that unless, you know, they've actually experienced it. And there has never been a such thing as an anarchist society in real life, right?

Wrong.

Well, kinda.

One country that I believe is pretty close to anarchy is my home country of Nigeria.

Yes, there's a government. But the way Nigerians act, it might as well not exist.

Nigeria is two steps away from being completely lawless. If you get robbed, the criminal will get away with it, unless you pay the police an obscene amount of money. If you get killed, then you better hope that you're not a peasant, because there will be no justice in your name.

The enforcers of the law only enforce their own interests. Sure, there might be laws against corruption and what not, but who the ******** is gonna enforce them? The corrupt cops? Not likely.

For example. One of the most popular methods of public transportation is okada, motorcycle taxis. (No, nobody will give you a helmet.) One day in Lagos, a young man, around 18 or 19 years old, was riding on an okada to where ever young adults go. The okada driver hit a pothole (the roads are covered in them, and because the government might as well not exist, they will never be fixed unless a citizen pays for it), lost control of his bike, and slammed into a naval officer's Mercedes-Benz.

The officer was furious. He stepped out of his car, and as the okada driver was apologizing intensely, he turned to the passenger, the young man. "Open your mouth," he said. The boy, thinking he was joking, did so. Then the naval officer, in broad daylight, in front of scores of citizens, pulled out a gun, a gun he SHOULD NOT HAVE HAD because he wasn't even on duty, placed the barrel in the boy's mouth, and fired. As the boy fell, he shot him again.

The police came before the oncoming mob could lynch him.

Now, in many other countries, that officer would have gotten life in prison, if not the death penalty. In Nigeria, he'll probably stay in jail for at most a month, charged a fine, and stationed up north.

Why? Because there might as well not be any laws in Nigeria.

That's pretty close to anarchy if you ask me.

And anarchy sucks.

Note: subject to frequent editing.

Anarchy would only work if humanity miraculously matured beyond current standards of behavior. In a truly ideal case, people would be capable of governing themselves--there would be no police to become corrupt, because the people would see to appropriate justice. However nice that may sound though, it is far out of our grasp, probably forever, because human beings are not mature enough or intelligent enough to handle true anarchy gracefully.

Anarchy is a stupid idea. It really is. Without law, we would fall apart.

Personally, I prefer communism. Having a society where everyone is equal, is ideal. Cuba is the closest to true communism, but true communism cannot exist due to human nature.

No one is goiung to say it better then she just did.
100% agreeence

Nitro, thank you for making this thread. I've seen you roaming around ED and followed your thread about your travels to Nigeria and I'm very glad that you've learned so much!

I try to get it across constantly to the "younger generation" that anarchy is completely ridiculous. Most of the kids who are screaming it have no idea what it means. They think it just means for Bush to get out of office. I bet you that when these kids come of age 7/8 of them won't even vote. Now that's ridiculous.

It disgusts me that adults have the audacity to criticize the government and the president. Why? When asked who they voted for they say "I didn't vote." What do you expect then? Don't b***h about it unless you tried to do something about it.

Back on topic...if there was anarchy in the US these teenyboppers wouldn't have the chance to say their ridiculous opinion...without being shot. Mommy and daddy wouldn't give them the money they needed to buy their clothes from Hot Topic because most likely we'd be third-world country.

Seriously kids, it wouldn't work. Listen to Nitro.

I have this to say...

You see all those kids with the anarchy t-shirts?

Are you really an anarchist if you BOUGHT the shirt? Somehow supporting capitalism rings funny to me.

Huzzah for our self destructive nature, fueled by hatred, jealousy and prejudice!

Most people say communism is a bad idea because of things like Stalin and China. China is alright, but just rather.. oppresive..