The Government is Not God

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Our rights and purpose do not come from government.

It is undeniable that contemporary governments have grown far beyond what was originally intended for them. This can largely be seen in the far reaching expansion of nanny and welfare state policies that restrict civil liberties and increase dependency upon the state. This concept also holds true in regards to the ever-increasing power that transnational corporations exert over the global population. The goal of a government is to exert lasting control over a population within a specific geographic location. The objective of any corporation is to make — and increase — annual profits. It is logical to conclude that both groups have a vested interest in attaining these goals in perpetuity. Thus, they will adapt over time to ensure that their goals are met, regardless of the consequences their methods may have upon those they claim to be serving. As is the case with any entity that seeks to attain — and maintain — power over humanity, it is necessary that we be skeptical of them and hold them accountable on both micro- and macro-scales.

The governments and markets of man are dynamic; they are composed of — and run by — human beings, thus they are subject to the whims of man along with the more chaotic aspects of human nature. As is the case with all things related to humanity, the bad must also come with the good. When it comes to matters of who controls and influences our society, Lord Acton of Great Britain said it best, “Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men, even when they exercise influence and not authority.” In an era of hyper-divisiveness, ensuring that the government does not oppress us and that corporations do not manipulate and exploit us is something that allows for a bridge across the aisle.

This is not to say that all government or corporate actions are carried out with pure malintent, as my tinfoil hat is not on that tightly. However, it is paramount that we are careful and precise with whom and to what we give a platform, money, or personal information. Herein lies the rub: the two most powerful constructs in contemporary society are government and transnational corporations, how can humanity keep them in line so that they do not abuse us? At their bests, these entities have the ability to empower, enrich, and help enlighten their constituents and customers. At their worst, they have the ability to militarize against us and actively suppress free thought — or even outright suppress and marginalize us.

“The way our society has been developing lately is worrisome in that we are drifting closer and closer to an age where authoritarianism reigns.”

Historically, human beings are not prone to relinquishing power and influence once it is obtained. Thus, we set limitations and restrictions upon ourselves to ensure that no individual or group of individuals abuse their power. However — even with this being the case — powerful entities that have power over man continue their rampant abuse and mistreatment of those whose existence they purport to be benefiting.

To be frank, the government forces its will upon us and our corporate overlords manipulate us into consensually sacrificing more and more of our privacy, independence, and financial assets to the advancement of their agendas. The major difference is that the governments don’t pretend to ask for permission, and they have more guns than you or I. The way our society has been developing lately is worrisome in that we are drifting closer and closer to an age where authoritarianism reigns.

In a day and age where it appears that everyone is more concerned with ‘owning the libs’ or ‘schooling the cons,’ this should serve as a rallying point: should these powerful conglomerates continue to grow without change there will be dire consequences for everyone regardless of their political affiliation. Be it governmental or corporate, the rumblings of authoritarianism are likely to turn into the bellows of tyranny. Thomas Jefferson observed that, “The natural progress of things is for the government to gain ground and for liberty to yield.” Although he was referring to governments, the same sentiment applies to corporate groups that actively abuse their influence.

Ultimately, we must be skeptical. One cannot allow powerful entities to command authority over their life. We must exert our own free will and utilize our capacity for critical thought when interacting with those that seek to control and regulate us. If we allow ourselves to be subjected to the whims of the mighty, we risk being stripped of all liberty and any individualism we may have possessed.

Follow this author on Twitter: @SavorySizzam

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