Quote:
Originally Posted by Skybird
And who defines what "extreme views" are that disqualify somebody from offices? Just think of the different ideas of freedom of speech. Is freedom of speech covering the intentional personal hurting of the other? I criticism of islam an offence that must be exlcusded from free speech? Political correctness, anonymous pressure of public climate to supress unwanted opinions, what about that? If somebody states he is motivated by religion, does this deserve respect that he claims for himself, or excatly the opposite, as I claim? Has the minority in a democratic system the right to prevent the majorty from forming a majority decision, like filibustering implies?
Is freedom regulated to some degree by generally enforced rules meastill freedom, or is even he taking away of the smallest jota the total loss of freedom alltogether? Is freedom only where anarchy is, is any setting fo rules, law and order thus the absence of freedom?
Or are rules needed to even allow a window of opportunity for freedom to unfold?
You see, its not that obivious an issue. And imho: it is impossible to find a satisfying solution. Thus there will be always cheating, conflict, and the attempt to rule by the argument of having the longer teeth and the louder voice.
There are principles that for me are non-negotiable. I would wish they would be shared by the society I live in. But it is not like that, it is exactly the opposite. I cannot help it, the only thing I can do is to stick to these my principles nevertheless, no matter what.
And maybe that is what principles really are about: Not collective efforts, but individual ones.
In a book series that influenced me quite a lot when I was a teen, a science fiction series, the protagonsit got told by his wife this: "What you believe in, you should be willing to live and to die for."
I think that is what it's about.
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I meant maybe they should stay out of it volentarily, not be forced to stay out... not realistic of course.
You're right that by the definition of freedom, no where in the world is 100% free and nor should it be, if people are left to be entirely free, anarchy takes hold.
Obviously humans need stability as much as they need freedom so we must balance the two to get the best results,
again,
compromise 
Im pretty sure most self proclaimed anarcists would crap their pants if they had to live in true anarchy.