Are you trying to increase it [force]?
Uhhh, no. Is this an argument of some sort?
I assert that it is more civilized to try to reduce the initiation of force than to try to increase it. Therefore, I try to reduce it through persuasion.
Where do you live that isn't "nature"?
I was referring to a Hobbesian "state of nature". Surely you know that, and you are turning to petty semantics again.
I guess you are a statist, then.
From my perspective, it's not black and white. If it helps you sleep at night, then feel free to call me a "statist" and I'll call you a "utopian idealist with his/her head in the clouds".
I'd rather you didn't call me a "utopian idealist with his/her head in the clouds". I have never claimed that anarchy would eliminate all pain and suffering from human interaction. Also, I have refrained from calling you a "violent, murdering thief".
"Statist" is a proper, neutral definition for someone that advocates a state.
Regarding your definitions of "government" and "state", let's decide on a definition from the dictionary, how about that? Instead of one from a libertarian propagandist.
I choose these:
(government) 1 : the act or process of governing; specifically : authoritative direction or control.
(state) 1 a : a politically organized body of people usually occupying a definite territory;
Quibbling about which is better a "state" or a "government" is just silly semantics. If you want a group of people governed in any way at all (which you don't, I realize that)
Yes, I do.
, then there is both a government and a state. The two go hand in hand. Self-government doesn't involve a state, because it's just one person, but when we're talking about large groups of people, then by definition, they are a state if there is a government involved (in the accepted meanings of words).
Let's say you go to church on Easter. Everyone files in quietly, takes a seat, listens attentively and sings when asked. If they don't, no police arrest them, no one takes them to jail or kills them in a shootout. If they don't give to the collection plate, no one takes their wallet. At most, they will be asked to leave the group. I don't see why a society couldn't operate like that.
When I argue the difference between "state" and "government" this is the distinction about which I speak. After all, the two words exist.