this post was submitted on 15 Dec 2023
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[–] kool_newt@lemm.ee 21 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

The state (i.e. a group of people that claims only they can legally use violence in a given geographic region) is a tool used by the psychopathic hoarder class -- it's purpose is to steal from us (our labor and resources that belong to us all) in relative safety (i.e. protected by state enforcement/police).

Our societal "advancement" can largely be understood in terms of this psychopathic hoarder class become more efficient and effective. Look at amazon.com, is that an advancement over stores or a more efficient way to exploit resources and people and effectively expedite the planet's destruction?

[–] Squizzy@lemmy.world 20 points 1 year ago (1 children)

We need a robust democracy with strong regulation, not a lack of structure in our society.

[–] kool_newt@lemm.ee 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Democracy tends toward corruption as any concentration of power will.

[–] Squizzy@lemmy.world 0 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Yeah so we have a robust system of checks and balances, strong regulation and systemic processes to discourage corruption. For example, if you are in your role due to a public election or representing a public body and you are found to have taken bribes you have to serve 20 years in prison and lose all entitlements associated with your office including pensions.

[–] kool_newt@lemm.ee 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Except it mostly doesn't work. For every corrupt official going to prison you have 10 getting away with it.

[–] Squizzy@lemmy.world 0 points 1 year ago (1 children)

This isn't a reality, I'm saying the system could work if.

[–] kool_newt@lemm.ee 1 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Ah ok. I would've agreed with you not too long ago.

I've since become convinced that any concentration of power will attract exactly the type that should not wield it and therefore a society that wants to maximize things like freedom and minimize things like needless suffering should strive to build a society where power is not needed. I realize this would take time and could not come from violent revolution, but instead cultural change over a generation or two. In the meantime, democracy, imperfect as it is, with checks and balances can help keep things stable enough for cultural change to occur in this world.

What is power used for except to coerce people to do your bidding instead of their own? I want to clarify that capability for self-defense/community- defense I don't consider power.