The purpose of governments

Democracy 'best solution' for organising society?

Most of us believe that for human society to thrive it requires a framework. Democratically elected governments are widely accepted to provide the best solution.

Increasingly it seems that one of the true purposes of democratically elected governments is to provide the framework that enables citizens to be financially exploited, 'milked' for the benefit of corporations.

Profiteering by 'Big Six' UK energy companies

As an example, the recent revelation that the 'Big Six' energy companies operating in the UK have delivered profits of £15bn for 2011 is truly shocking.

Rising energy costs inescapable

With global energy prices volatile, and at the mercy of market speculation and geopolitical instability, price rises are inevitable, an inescapable reality.

The economy is in tatters, uncertainty is widespread, and there is a real prospect of widespread economic chaos and civil disorder if Greece defaults and precipitates a Eurozone meltdown.

Static incomes, rising inflation, increasing numbers of households in fuel poverty and senior citizens faced with the choice of 'eat or heat'... ...the factors that feed into the issue seem to multiply.

The purpose of governments

Without the support of citizens governments have no mandate to govern. Consequently to substantiate their very existence, one of the key purposes of governments is to protect citizens.

If it is an implicit function of government to protect citizens, it must act to defend the interests of the population that it is supposed to serve. The UK government must curtail the ability of the energy companies to operate a cartel and profiteer.

Anti-trust in the USA

The United States has used anti-trust laws to curtail the activities of big business when it threatens to obtain too great an influence. Notable examples include Microsoft unbundling Internet Explorer from Windows and Standard Oil (the fore runner of Esso or Exxon Corporation) from having too much control of the gasoline market in the early 20th century.

No trust in the UK government?

Where is the UK government when citizens need it to protect energy prices from greedy energy companies? Energy is just one example. What about the finance sector and supermarkets?Increasingly the UK seems incapable of defending citizens from the predatory behaviour of big business.