Please don’t taint HN with this type of response. HN is such a rare place on the internet, and let’s keep it excellent.
The idea you’re dismissing is that of allowing small groups of people rule themselves which does mean some will use unconventional ways they consider best. Note that the Apenzellers didn’t hinder anyone who disagreed to leave or refuse to trade with them. They also didn’t force their way onto others.
Switzerland was once just a bunch of small independent nations in a military alliance, which allowed them decentralisation and having multiple competing systems, without everyone having to do it one way. If you have that, you must agree that your neighbour may live in a way you disagree with - but in exchange they will let you live in a way they disagree with, as I’m sure many from Apenzell think of the Züricher.
I imagine the Apenzellers argued that the job of the state is military protection. Conscription means the state forces you to give your life for it, and voting rights for conscripts means soldiers will only go to wars they collectively agree with, effectively ruling out wars of aggression. That’s how it was in my country, but I’m not familiar enough with Apenzell (except for their cheese) to talk about their history in this depth.
This is what you said: "But we all argue in good faith and are willing to yield to reason" I am in disagreement with this sentence. "we all" is definitely wrong and I haven't seen many "yield to reason" here or in any forum apart from few examples.
So I found your comment disingenuous and that's why I left a sarcastic remark, not aligned to HN rules sure, but yeah I did it. Also, if you think HN is an excellent place and not tainted, I have no words.
If “we all” was the part where you disagreed, why did you quote every part of my reply but that?
HN is not perfect, but it’s far from the norm online regarding good faith rational discussion, and I’ve certainly witnessed people here accepting and learning facts and from rational arguments.
Why? I also said I mostly disagreed with "yield to reason" part.
Ok, sure, the let me say it again then, I fully disagree with "we all" and mostly disagree with "yield to reason" and "in good faith" parts of your sentence.
Please.