[latefordinner]

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If it were legitimate, there would be no argument against it.

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Obviously it /isn't/ legitimate in the eyes of anarchists, I'm using a more general sociological definition here in that the only way the state maintains its stateness is by claiming (and convincing/coercing its subjects) that it has a monopoly on violence

Thanks for the thoughts so far, it helps to see where there will be points of strong contention so that I can focus on those - Thanks also to Phil for intuiting in advance the social norms and social control that a community exerts on its members as being an important part of the picture

I'll try to write the first half of the argument tonight