Garner, Ferdinand & Lawson: Introduction to Politics
Possible answer to scenario 1
Given the above factors, you might decide that there is no need for anything more than a 'minimal state'. You might want decisions to be taken by 'direct democracy'; after all, your 'state' is small enough to cater for a full discussion and a vote of all citizens. You might think that such meetings would only need to be called when a significant proportion of the population (e.g. a tenth of the inhabitants (30 people)) say that they are needed.
However, you are in a privileged minority, and could be worried that you will always be outvoted when questions about property are discussed. From this perspective, you might want something like a 'Bill of Rights' to be instituted, to protect the essential 'rights' of minorities. After all, you can argue that you possess your piece of land through your own initiative – you went out and took it when your fellow-passengers were still dithering. Equally, you might decide that you are not particularly possessive, and agree to let other people labour on at least part of your land so long as the produce is distributed in such a way which will make everyone have an equal standard of living on the basis of equal labour.
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