Modern states gain power not from consent but through creating crises, coercion, and division among citizens. The author, Michael Matulef, argues for recognizing this manipulation and suggests ways individuals can opt out of the state's control.
1. Conflict and Division Fuel State Power: During crises, people often turn against one another, forming factions. This internal conflict allows the state to grow stronger as individuals seek its protection, leading to the concentration of power.
2. Manufacturing Chaos: The state creates chaos, then positions itself as the only solution. This includes economic instability and social conflicts that divert attention from its failures.
3. Decline of Voluntary Exchange: The state undermines voluntary cooperation by turning potential allies into perceived enemies, thus eroding mutual respect and trust necessary for peaceful interaction.
4. Crisis as a Tool for Control: Each crisis is used to justify further state authority, leading to increased surveillance, regulation, and control over citizens' lives.
5. State's Illusion of Strength: The state's need for increased coercion and control reflects its weakness. Societal dissent and deteriorating trust in institutions highlight the state's inability to provide stability.
6. The Cycle of Crisis: As the state fabricates ongoing emergencies, it distracts citizens from questioning its legitimacy. This cycle perpetuates polarization and prevents constructive dialogue.
7. Moving Beyond the State's Game: To escape this manipulation, individuals can opt out of state-controlled systems by creating alternative economic relationships, using private currencies, and forming mutual aid networks.
8. Building Alternatives: The goal is to establish systems based on voluntary cooperation, avoiding dependency on state mechanisms. This involves choosing to interact directly with others instead of through bureaucratic systems.
9. The Role of Consent: Real consent is demonstrated through interactions and choices made outside government control, not merely through voting.
10. Future Possibilities: The outcome of societal collapse will depend on what alternatives are developed. Fighting among each other or waiting for political solutions will not yield positive results. Building voluntary networks is essential for creating a new, cooperative society.
The article emphasizes the need for individuals to recognize the mechanisms of state power and the ongoing division they create. It advocates for building alternative systems based on cooperation rather than conflict. Only by stepping outside the game can people create a more equitable and self-governing society. The author calls for redirecting efforts away from defending the status quo and toward creating meaningful alternatives that respect individual freedom and cooperation.
https://mises.org/mises-wire/stop-fighting-your-neighbor-mechanics-state-power-and-how-opt-out
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