The purpose of government depends on the political philosophy of that 
government, usually in some constitutional form, at least in the 
modern-postmodern world.  For a Marxist (or communist) government the 
political philosophy rests on the creation of a classless society (except 
for the ruling elite).  This is supposedly attained according to the 
Hegelian Dialectic where the established governing body (bourgeoisie) is 
overthrown by the underclass (proletariat) and a new order is established. 
Hegel described the process as Thesis, Anti-Thesis and Synthesis.  The final 
result of this dialectic process is supposedly a classless society.  The 
idea has been popularized since 1848 when Marx and Engels enshrined it in a 
political platform called "The Manifesto of the Communist Party."  It has 
not yet been shown to be successful in leveling the playing field for anyone 
or to bring prosperity to the corporate government or any individual.  The 
political leaders, however, do enjoy a standard of living above the rest of 
the population.

The political philosophy upon which most Western nations rest is in John 
Locke's (1632-1704) treatises on government.  The U.S. Constitution, for 
example, rests largely on the works of Locke which the Founding Fathers 
interpreted for America such that the Constitution was finally accepted. 
John Locke was adamant about the sanctity of private property and so it is 
written into the constitution.  However it was deleted from the section that 
states "...life, liberty and property..." and changed to read "...life, 
liberty and the pursuit of happiness..." because slaves were considered 
property and the framers did not want a constitution that would sanction 
slavery or elevate one man above another.

The level playing field here is in this part of the constitution which makes 
everyone equal in the eyes of the law (an idea from the Roman Republic). 
Everyone could own property and everyone on merit could achieve their best. 
The legal impediments to achievement were not established in law but the 
opposite was.   It is sometimes referred to as "The American Dream," rags to 
riches.

But no legal system can level the proverbial playing field simply by 
legislation.   The role of a constitutional republican government (like the 
U.S.) is primarily to provide to provide protection from external and 
internal threats to the domestic tranquility and to protect the rights of 
its citizens from the encroachment of others.  Thomas Jefferson was first to 
advocate public education, but it is not within the scope of American 
political philosophy.  The importance was to insure that, like the 
separation of powers, (another thing Locke took from the Roman Republic) 
education was likely to minimize reactionary radicalism.  Furthermore, it 
was likely to insure a prosperous community and the continuity and 
perpetuity of the constitution.

In America the playing field is relatively level.  What no political system 
can do is make everyone equal in intelligence, ambition, health and other 
biogenetic characteristics.  What the U.S. system does is provide education 
for every citizen without cost to the student, at the primary and secondary 
level.  Undergraduate school is available at a modest cost for most and at 
no cost for others.  Graduate school however is a different matter which 
depends on the kind of academic experience one brings to the institution, 
and the qualification for fellowships or scholarships.  On the job training 
comes into play because academia does not have the wherewithal to train 
people on the specific products and multivarious requirements of industry.




-- 
http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive
View/change your membership options at
http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist