The Pragmatic Libertarian Coalition

The battery of government is coercion. Without coercion a government cannot collect taxes, protect its citizens from foreign invasion or perpetrations from within. The distinguishing characteristics from one government to another have everything to do with the extent and severity force is executed and the circumstances in which force is applicable.Government sanctioned force is arguably the cause of most human suffering today and since before the days of old. Historic accounts from varying perspectives support the notion that governments are the most dangerous institutions known.
Governments however, play a vital role protecting and maintaining civilized life. Without government everyone (instead of just most people) would suffer at the hands of unregulated warlords and thieves. It seems that civilization is caught in a hardcore catch 22.
Indeed government is perhaps the most feared criminal institution known to humankind. It is also true that government, armed to the teeth, is absolutely essential.Can we agree then that government is a necessary evil? If so would it be fair to say that government should exist but be severely restrained and regulated? Who has the greatest potential to cause much harm - groups or individuals?Certainly individuals are capable of causing harm, but causing great harm often requires conspiracy and collusion, also basic elements of government institutions. True representative governments must restrict their size and scope. When a government becomes so big that it diverts from the people, taking on a life of its own and seeking its own ends, it has become malevolently corrupt. At that point it's time to throw off the old government and start anew.