The growth of State terror and intervention into our lives

In the post 9/11 world, we've come to accept the doctrine of State intervention - whether it is economic or in a military sense. The government now openly decides the best way to "protect" the individual by driven policy intervention into different sectors of the globalised world.

International markets, the environment, foreign and civil affairs have all experienced a sharp increase of "the government knows best." Politicians are consciously aware that their actions effect our lives in a negative manner thus exacerbating the situation and making matters worse. British and American officials were fully aware that invading Iraq would lead to counter productive elements and increase hostilities towards Israel, nuclear proliferation and acts of terrorism. They knew it would happen and it did occur.

In this present crisis, government is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem. From time to time we've been tempted to believe that society has become too complex to be managed by self-rule, that government by an elite group is superior to government for, by, and of the people. Well, if no one among us is capable of governing himself, then who among us has the capacity to govern someone else? All of us together, in and out of government, must bear the burden.

Ronald Reagan the 40th President of the United States

Government, by its very definition, is tyranny. It is a barbaric system that violates the sovereign right of the individual and dictates how we should live our lives, in the sense of collective morality and responsibility. In order to achieve this we've seen fear being used as an elective term to act as the vox populi. Fear is the new norm and a means for government to justify its actions.

"We had to bail out the banks or the system would crash"
"Cutting government spending will lead to a depression"
"Be vigilant. Terrorists can strike at any moment"
"County A must be brought to yield"

Those four examples are just methods to explain how the government coerce the individuals into recognising its illegitimate rule. According to the definition of terrorism/terror;

terror - the use of extreme fear in order to coerce people (especially for political reasons); "he used terror to make them confess"

State terrorism is not placing bombs on trains, assassinations, targeting dissidents or political opponents. The new expression of state terror comes from; the podium, the legislative and executive branch of government, the media and the Office of President or Prime Minister. It is government, by any means, to justify its influence over all sectors of society and using fears to repress those who choose to speak out. We don't need government to do our work, but government needs us to do theirs.

It is clear, from the United Nations and the increasing influence of the European Union - our freedom is at risk. As I said before, we don't need government. The institution has grown so much over the last few centuries, that, it now violates the very Constitutions it is suppose to defend. With the rise of state terror, you and I are now the target. The very people, who government is suppose to protect and represent, are now the enemy.

A Little Rebellion Now and Then Is A Good Thing

Thomas Jefferson

All that and no replies?!

INFIDELS! *shakes fist*

Fantastic Thread!

You've put down a lot of things I've been thinking for a while.

I love the quote from Reagan too.

You are spot on with your remarks.

reply to post by Kram09


Thank you so much.

I will be expanding on this thread tomorrow - I'll be adding some critique to what I've already established in this thread.

Introduction of the State

The state will only recongise one aspect and that's the individual. You and the state, which you are the servant to. Everything you aspire to and desire will only be accepted if the state allows such a outcome to occur. The Soviet Union and, in contemporary society, North Korea both believe in the doctrine of unity of the proletariat. Which is a benign description for enslavement.

In my view, the concept of state oppression first appeared during the la Terreur in revolutionary French. The Committee of Public Safety between 1793-94, under the influence of Maximilien Robespierre, dealt brutal repression of counter revolutionary activities. The political rival of the Girondins and the Jacobins, with the state executions under the guillotine, lead the way to regicide and later to the rise of Napoleon. This period signals a historic warning, those who advocate a powerful state tend to give birth to tyrants.

Betrayal of the Left

Even though I refer to myself as a left libertarian or social anarchist, I was once a child of Marx. Self defined and proud socialist. Once in the distant past, during the founding and establishment of socialism, the concept of the state was an entity that most be removed. The state, in the eyes of Marx; was a tool for division, repression and enforcing a class society.

The Russian Revolution of 1917 was an event that humanity needed. Overthrowing the Tzar and the religious structures of Imperial Russia should have been the catalyst for revolution across Imperial Europe. But, alas, the revolutions never came. The European States stayed in place, grew and continued to repress.

Why?

Two words. Joseph Stalin.

Stalin is the most authoritarian, cruel, malevolent and grotesque dictator ever in human history. The Russian Revolution was betrayed by Stalin - he turned Russia into a state that was far worse than the Tzar's of Imperial Russia. One his biggest crimes was ordering the assassination of Leon Trotsky - who organised the international left to oppose Stalinism.

But the biggest crime ever committed was a direct attack on the ideology that helped him to power. The very people, who he called comrades, and those who praised his tutelage of freemen. Yes, I'm referring to his treasonous acts during the Spanish War.

Those on ATS, who ridicule socialism and its supporters on ATS should study the Spanish Civil War. The work and organisation of the International Brigades is one of the greatest moments in human history, for they stood up to fascism and the concept of a brutal state. These men and women were not scared to say no to Franco or to use bullets to do it. But Stalin provided Soviet assistances, only to ensure the Communists were under direct control from Moscow - with the hope of installing a "proletariat dictator" in Spain. In the end, Stalins controlling lead to splits in the Republicans and infighting, thus, Franco gained control of Spain. Fascism lived.

Democracy didn't just die. The Lefts resistance to the state died too.

21st Century vision of the State

The American health system is a prime of a structure that represents the worse of capitalism and the socialism combined. Which is quite some achievement. Vast costs in marriage with endless bureaucracy. Sadly, the population (not just in American, but the world) have come to accept the idea of State influence within our lives. In other words, the terror and fear has worked because the private citizen advocates a role for the State in their own life.

If you're against gay marriage, you want the State to define marriage. Gun control places restrictions and limits on the ability to defend yourself against arbitrary power. Imposing religion gives birth to the doctrine of an issued State morality. I can go on with examples. But a shift in human emotion, intelligence and culture is needed - the government is not infinite, there are limits to its growth. If not, then, we'll be betraying our children.

Civilization is the progress toward a society of privacy. The savage's whole existence is public, ruled by the laws of his tribe. Civilization is the process of setting man free from men.

Ayn Rand

Loved the Reagan quotes, great post. Government is tyranny......

reply to post by sir_slide


Thank you

It would be interesting to get feedback from those ATS members on the left and their feelings towards the Stalinist takeover of the left - ensuring that socialism supported the State.

reply to post by infinite


Very interesting.....some stuff to think about there.

I find it hard to define myself politically....I have my views, but where they fit into the entire scheme of things...well that's another story.

What exactly is a social anarchist?

So, as I understand it Stalin and also Mao subverted communism to their own tyrannical ends?

I can't say I'm too clear about it all, to make any comments really.

But it's a great thread. Good stuff! I'm just surprised hardly anyone else has replied.

reply to post by Kram09


The same can be applied to the Right, both authortarian elements hijacked both socialists and conservatives. American conservatives use to be extremely libertarian and rejected the idea of religion in public life - both started to use religion as a means to influences the lives of their citizens.