Comments on: The Role of Government, Part II http://www.21st-century-citizen.com/2007/08/13/what-is-the-role-of-government-challenge-water-global-warming/ Exploring the New Values of the 21st Century Citizen Mon, 06 Oct 2008 19:55:50 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2 By: wei http://www.21st-century-citizen.com/2007/08/13/what-is-the-role-of-government-challenge-water-global-warming/#comment-621 wei Mon, 27 Aug 2007 11:41:44 +0000 http://www.21st-century-citizen.com/2007/08/13/what-is-the-role-of-government-challenge-water-global-warming/#comment-621 i guess you could count me as one of those guys that see the glass as half empty; human nature will be human nature. the world runs on pragmatism and the currency of pragmatism is $. as much as most people would like to deny it this is an unfortunately FACT of life. thats where the government comes in. as much as i hate the idea of over-regulation etc etc. i cant seem to think of a better alternative. hard measures are the way forward, once you enforce a certain form of behavior on people through monetary policies it becomes second nature to them and thats where the self-motivation begins. plus, at an international level the government is the only one with the resources, expertise as well as power to carry out large-scale projects that actually HAVE an influence on global climate change. also, through power the government can develop and enforce a framework/industry to help nurture green technologies. im guessing you guys are from America which has an extremely well-developed green industry but unfortunately nowhere else in the world does such an indsutry exist (europe's success is almost purely govternment iniated and driven). citing the example above of Singapore, whose government is rather infamous for its hard-handed approah to issues. but the flip side being that they are easily the cleanest and greenest country in Asia, maybe with the exception of certain PARTS of Japan and Australia. also how about san francisco, tough legislation and really crappy road planning (intended) surely did the trick. i guess you could count me as one of those guys that see the glass as half empty; human nature will be human nature. the world runs on pragmatism and the currency of pragmatism is $. as much as most people would like to deny it this is an unfortunately FACT of life. thats where the government comes in. as much as i hate the idea of over-regulation etc etc. i cant seem to think of a better alternative. hard measures are the way forward, once you enforce a certain form of behavior on people through monetary policies it becomes second nature to them and thats where the self-motivation begins.

plus, at an international level the government is the only one with the resources, expertise as well as power to carry out large-scale projects that actually HAVE an influence on global climate change. also, through power the government can develop and enforce a framework/industry to help nurture green technologies. im guessing you guys are from America which has an extremely well-developed green industry but unfortunately nowhere else in the world does such an indsutry exist (europe’s success is almost purely govternment iniated and driven).

citing the example above of Singapore, whose government is rather infamous for its hard-handed approah to issues. but the flip side being that they are easily the cleanest and greenest country in Asia, maybe with the exception of certain PARTS of Japan and Australia. also how about san francisco, tough legislation and really crappy road planning (intended) surely did the trick.

]]> By: Has America Reached a Turning Point? http://www.21st-century-citizen.com/2007/08/13/what-is-the-role-of-government-challenge-water-global-warming/#comment-567 Has America Reached a Turning Point? Wed, 22 Aug 2007 22:41:36 +0000 http://www.21st-century-citizen.com/2007/08/13/what-is-the-role-of-government-challenge-water-global-warming/#comment-567 [...] Regular readers will probably remember that we’ve discussed the role of government in changing people’s behaviors before — here and here. [...] […] Regular readers will probably remember that we’ve discussed the role of government in changing people’s behaviors before — here and here. […]

]]> By: Links from Readers http://www.21st-century-citizen.com/2007/08/13/what-is-the-role-of-government-challenge-water-global-warming/#comment-484 Links from Readers Thu, 16 Aug 2007 11:41:31 +0000 http://www.21st-century-citizen.com/2007/08/13/what-is-the-role-of-government-challenge-water-global-warming/#comment-484 [...] jhimm is a bit upset by the news. We’ve been discussing the role of government (see here and here) in changing people’s behaviors, so thanks jhimm for adding to the [...] […] jhimm is a bit upset by the news. We’ve been discussing the role of government (see here and here) in changing people’s behaviors, so thanks jhimm for adding to the […]

]]> By: Rodent of Unusual Size http://www.21st-century-citizen.com/2007/08/13/what-is-the-role-of-government-challenge-water-global-warming/#comment-442 Rodent of Unusual Size Mon, 13 Aug 2007 21:33:42 +0000 http://www.21st-century-citizen.com/2007/08/13/what-is-the-role-of-government-challenge-water-global-warming/#comment-442 One way I'd like to see government's have an impact is by *not*. As in not over-regulating, not throwing up obstacles, and not being the total asshats they often seem to think they're paid to be. San Diego's approach is much nicer. Honey versus vinegar, et cetera. Rewarding 'good behaviour' is cool.. but if it's monetary, Paul's going to mug Peter and leave him bleeding in some dark alley. Even incentives like lower fees or taxes is going to put a crunch on later. Figure out how to appeal to people's self-interests; perhaps being greener gets you access to things otherwise not available? Blah, blah, stream-of-consciousness, blah.. One way I’d like to see government’s have an impact is by *not*. As in not over-regulating, not throwing up obstacles, and not being the total asshats they often seem to think they’re paid to be. San Diego’s approach is much nicer. Honey versus vinegar, et cetera.

Rewarding ‘good behaviour’ is cool.. but if it’s monetary, Paul’s going to mug Peter and leave him bleeding in some dark alley. Even incentives like lower fees or taxes is going to put a crunch on later. Figure out how to appeal to people’s self-interests; perhaps being greener gets you access to things otherwise not available?

Blah, blah, stream-of-consciousness, blah..

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