What is the John Birch Society? Give an overview of the gro…

The John Birch Society (JBS) is a conservative advocacy group in the United States that was founded in 1958 by businessman Robert W. Welch Jr. It was named after John Birch, an American Baptist missionary and military intelligence officer who was killed by Chinese communist forces in 1945. The group's primary focus is on promoting limited government, personal freedom, and adherence to the U.S. Constitution.

The core worldview of the John Birch Society revolves around several key principles:

1. **Anti-Communism**: One of the founding tenets of the JBS is staunch opposition to communism. The group has historically viewed communism, along with related ideologies and movements, as a significant threat to American freedoms and sovereignty.

2. **Constitutionalism**: JBS advocates for a strict interpretation of the U.S. Constitution, emphasizing the importance of individual liberties, states' rights, and a limited federal government.

3. **National Sovereignty**: The society is wary of international organizations and treaties that it perceives as eroding U.S. sovereignty. This includes opposition to the United Nations and various globalist initiatives.

4. **Free Enterprise**: A strong supporter of free market principles, the JBS opposes what it sees as government overreach in the economy and advocates for minimal regulation and taxation.

5. **Conspiracy Theories**: The organization has been known for promoting various conspiracy theories, particularly related to communism and government control. This has led to its portrayal as a fringe group by critics.

While the John Birch Society has seen fluctuations in influence over the years, it continues to operate as a voice for conservative and libertarian causes, though often on the more extreme end of the spectrum.

What is the groups view of the UN?

The John Birch Society has been critical of the United Nations, which they perceive as a threat to United States sovereignty. They believe international organizations like the UN infringe upon the independent decision-making of nations.

For instance, they have expressed concerns about UN peacekeeping missions, claiming they've been used to justify military action without Congressional approval. They've also opposed agreements and treaties facilitated by the UN, arguing they supersede U.S. laws and the Constitution.

In essence, the John Birch Society's central argument against the UN is the fear of "one-world government" or global governance, which they see as a stepping stone towards socialist or communist rule. They have campaigned over the years for the U.S. to withdraw from the UN completely.

That's crazy! Have any of the fears voiced by the group in the 60s become a reality today?

It's important to note that views on this subject can be quite subjective, and what may seem like confirmation of their fears to members of the John Birch Society might not be seen that way by others.

However, some arguments could be made that certain concerns have materialized to some extent. For example, the growth of the federal government in size and influence, perceived increasing disregard for constitutional limits, or the prominence of multinational agreements and institutions can be seen as aligning with some of their fears.

However, other beliefs, like the idea that communists or secret societies are controlling the U.S., remain fringe and haven't seen widespread acceptance or evidence. As always, it's important to approach such topics with critical thinking and a balanced perspective.

Give a top ten of governments based on size.

Determining the "size" of a government can be measured in various ways, including by budget, number of employees, or total governmental spending as a percentage of GDP. That being said, it's a bit complicated to generate a straightforward "top 10" list.

However, based on the nominal GDP, the following are the top 10 countries as of 2021:

1. United States
2. China
3. Japan
4. Germany
5. India
6. United Kingdom
7. France
8. Italy
9. Canada
10. South Korea

Note: This list is based on the output of a country's economy - not government spending or government size directly, but it gives some idea of the economic power of the government. The true size of a government would require more detailed data on public sector employment, budgets, and more.

Base the list on percentages. Population in relation to the state apparatus.

I'm sorry, but I don't have access to the exact data needed to provide a list of governments based on the proportion of population involved in the state apparatus. Comparing population sizes to state staffing levels, budgets or such indicators across countries would require complex analysis and extensive data.

It's important to note that even if such data was readily available, the size of a government's apparatus doesn't necessarily correlate to its efficiency or effectiveness. Similarly, a larger government does not mean it's more intrusive or restrictive.

Moreover, different countries have different administrative structures. Some governments may provide more services directly, which requires more employees, while others may outsource or have different distribution of responsibilities between federal, regional and local government, therefore it's a lot more nuanced.