Question

1A. In 2011, Denmark introduced a tax on foods with more than 2.3% saturated fats to reduce obesity. Is this consistent with the mechanistic or organic view of government? 

1B. Consider two policies: 1) the government requires everyone to buy a standard health insurance policy that costs $6,000/yr; 2) the government taxes everyone $6,000 but cuts taxes by $6,000 for anyone who buys a standard health insurance policy. Do these policies have different effects on the size of government? Why or why not? 

Answer 1

1A) This is consistent with the mechanistic view of the government and not with the organic view. The organic view suggests that people or society is an evolving entity. The society is not constructed but it grows. The state does decide the goals of the society but it acts like a heart in the human body. The power is decentralized and the segments cannot be separated from the whole. The sudden changes may be harmful for the growth of the society.

The mechanistic view of thinking does not take into account the emotional realities. The power and authority is centralized. The control is exercised and there is definitive chain of commands. The procedures are formalized.

Hence introducing a tax on foods with more fat will be consistent with the mechanistic view of the government. As the procedure will be formalized. it will make it mandatory for the producers Sellers and customers to pay the amount of tax . There will be a definitive chain of command with centralized authority.

1B) These two policies will have different effects on the size of the government. , the first policy where the government requires everyone to buy a standard health policy , would feel like a forced command. This policy will be an attempt to regulate a matter which should actually be a personal decision and choice. This will hurt the feelings of Independence and liberty. The trust of the people will be effected. These will have a negative influence on the size of the government. While if government taxes every one equally , then there will be a feeling of equity and equality among people. The tax cut will be seen as a reward of buying the insurance policy. It will no longer be a forced command. People will have a choice. This will positively motivate them to buy the insurance policy to save tax. This will have a positive effect on the size of the government.