NationStates Jolt Archive

The world does not look as good as it should. I mean look at some of the atrocious things people build! And some things are not terrible to begin with but are not kept in good shape. My country proposes a beautification act. Man-made structures must be pre-approvd for aesthetic values. Now I know this may limit the right of people to build whatever they want, but it supports the right of people to not have to look at ugly things. I also propose that people must keep their properties in good shape. That means mown lawns, well-kept gardens and oft painted buildings. If people are too lazy to follow this, then they would receive a fine. Remeber change starts from the outside in. Let's give this world a make-over!

You can wear a bag over your head...

yuk yuk very fun. like that joke has never been heard before!

Oh by the way, I'd like to lodge this proposal but my nation has no UN delegate so if any random UN delegates would like to...

Your world would end up in bland uniformity, like the overly esthetic-zoned suburbs of the US.

It is said that there can be no accounting for taste, and certainly there can be no successful legislating for taste.

As I said in another thread, we in Gurthark believe that aesthetic offense is arguably one of the *least* severe harms that apply in the public sphere. Moreover, since the exterior of people's houses are right on the boundary of the private sphere, they deserve more protection of personal choice than most aspects of the public sphere.

We in Gurthark oppose this proposal.

Sincerely,
Miranda Googleplex
United Nations Ambassador
Community of Gurthark

The Incorruptibles envy those who live in well manicured areas of upkept beauty who do not understand the issue (guthark, collaboration). But to live around terrible surroundings when you know all things need is just a lick of paint is absolutely depressing. Our nation would also like to argue on the importance of aesthetics. To quote Keats, "Beauty is truth, truth beauty. This is all we know and all we ever need to know." (ok, he said it in a slightly more Old-English manner but this is it in translation.) To live without beauty is not living. We would be concerned with people's taste (say a committee's) encroaching people's rights to build homes. Pre-approval may not be necessary for most homes, but are necessary for things like power lines and other utility structures and industrial and commercial buildings. We still believe it is fair for homes to keep their facades clean, by cleaning or painting regularly perhaps.

Homes that are run down and look like they need a coat of paint are probably in that state because the owner can't afford to do anything about it. How is invoking fines going to do anything about it? Who do you expect to pay for maintaining the beauty of a property?

Not only do you have no right to tell me what my own house should look like, but you have no business enforcing your idea of beauty on me. For all you know, I might LIKE seeing my front lawn in moderate chaos...maybe because it is calming.

Besides, how do the aesthetic qualities of my nation affect you in any way? If your nation looks like a slum and it makes you depressed, clean it up by passing domestic laws or whatnot. If MY nation looks like a slum and it makes you depressed......just leave.

In any case, New Clarkhall stands against this misguided proposal.

I meant it as you can always look the other way.

Quiet down, Incorruptibles! While we agree with your proposal, we don't want other countries doing it! Because we have our own beautification laws, our tourism industry is now booming, not to mention that are people are much happier now because of the amount of beauty in their lives. But if every conutry was as beautiful and happy as ours, why would anyone want to come here?