Two principles behind the socio-political system I would like to see are:
(i) egalitarianism, and
(ii) libertarianism
(i) Nature is wild, and difficult to control, and its resources are, in certain ways, difficult to control. But, in as far as possible, I consider that these same resources should be distributed equally. I don't believe any argument levied against the concept of equality (whether it's 'I've worked hard and I deserve what I've taken' or any other argument) are at all reasonable. And, I think that's what ethics in many (if not all) cases comes down to - appeals to be reasonable. You don't need me to spell out for you what nature's resources are do you?
(ii) I don't know how the man would have judged my previous paragraph, but John Mill, in his 'Essay on Liberty', sets down what I believe is (or should be) a cornerstone of social philosophy:
The only part of the conduct of any one, for which he is
amenable to society, is that which concerns others. In the
part which merely concerns himself, his independence is, of
right, absolute. Over himself, over his own body and mind,
the individual is sovereign. Need I directly say more? I hope not.
I anticipate the argument: libertarianism & egalitarianism - an oxymoron surely! Well that depends on what you think the boundaries of 'liberty' should be. Appropriation of nature's resources is surely an action which ‘concerns others’, and therfore falls under the applicable territory of the above principle (ii). Reconciling egalitarianism and libertarianism is perhaps a venerable issue, and, after a potent dose of drambuie, isn’t something I feel like discussing at length. Maybe another day.
Anyway, I could list perhaps a hundred things I’d like to change – end of cruely to animals, regular 5-10 person orgies, end to the distraction of chemicals from their natural biogeochemical cycles etc. – but, even if an approximation to (i) and (ii) were realised, you would already be on the way to paradise.
Disclaimer: Opinions liable to change.
