Nanny state

{{significantly problematic}}[[File:An old wet nurse; symbolising France as nanny-state and publ Wellcome V0011830.jpg|thumb|right|165px|The [[French]] Nanny State of 1901]]{{politics}}
'''Nanny state''' (also known as '''[[government]] paternalism''') is a [[snarl word|snarl term]] used by [[libertarians]] and sometimes, though [[Hypocrisy|hypocritically]], by [[conservatives]]<ref group=note>Oh, sure, conservatives ''say'' they want [[small government]], but they have a nasty tendency towards [[authoritarianism]], which, among many other things that any sane person would fault it for, is basically [[Big Brother|the ''exact opposite'' of small government]].</ref> for perceived over-regulation by a government. The classic example involves laws requiring the wearing of a seat-belt, but the label can refer to any behavior that risks harm to the self but no one else. A list of potential candidates for accusations of nanny statism would include:
* assisted-[[suicide]] bans<ref name="Cato_Institute">[http://object.cato.org/sites/cato.org/files/serials/files/regulation/2015/9/regulation-v38n3-7_0.pdf Cato Institute]</ref>
* certain building codes{{efn|Conservapedia includes requirements for fire sprinklers in new construction,<ref name="Conservapedia">[http://www.conservapedia.com/Nanny_State CP]</ref> though fire spreading from house to house is a harm that affects more than just the individual whose "rights" are allegedly curtailed.}}
* compulsory saving for [[Social Security|retirement]] and [[Medicare|health insurance]], or even [[tax]] incentives for retirement savings<ref name="Cato_Institute">[http://object.cato.org/sites/cato.org/files/serials/files/regulation/2015/9/regulation-v38n3-7_0.pdf Cato Institute]</ref>
* helmet requirements for bicyclists and motorcyclists<ref name="Conservapedia">[http://www.conservapedia.com/Nanny_State CP]</ref>
* [[War on drugs|recreational-drug bans]]<ref>Notably absent from [http://www.conservapedia.com/Nanny_State Conservapedia's trenchant analysis].</ref>
* [[prostitution]] bans<ref>Ditto.</ref> 
* so-called "[[sin]] taxes" on [[alcohol]], [[sugar]], [[tobacco]], and [[gambling]] 

[[Conservapedia]] even includes compulsory [[education]], public-service announcements encouraging healthy eating, and (why not?) [[Hillary Clinton]]'s observation and subsequent book title, "It Takes a Village."<ref name="Conservapedia">[http://www.conservapedia.com/Nanny_State CP]</ref>

==Nannyism or reasonable restrictions on "rights" (like the right to be stupid)?==
As usual, whether the government action qualifies as “nanny statism” depends on whether the person agrees with the action. Sin taxes, at minimum, raise revenue for necessary infrastructure, education, and public services without distorting the economy in harmful ways. Actions that seem to threaten only the well-being of the person who engages in the risky behavior can potentially harm others because others often have to pay for the medical treatment by way of increased hospital costs. Recreational drugs have harmful effects on people other than just the user, notably the neglected [[children]] of drug addicts and people who have to deal with drunken/drugged behaviour from others (see [[Drug#Drug liberalization|Drug Liberalization]] for more on this topic). 
==See also==
*[[Health and safety]]
*[[Clean living movement]]
*[[Singapore]]

==Notes==
{{reflist|group=note}}

==References==
{{reflist|2|90%}}

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[[Category: Political terms]]

Categories:  Political terms