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> Can't build stable societies on fear. Yes, you're right. I meant to paraphrase Thomas Jefferson: “When the people fear the government, there is tyranny. When
by pipo234 3y ago
> Can't build stable societies on fear.
Yes, you're right. I meant to paraphrase Thomas Jefferson: “When the people fear the government, there is tyranny. When the government fears the people, there is liberty.” And indeed democracy isn't liberty, it's just the least bad attempt to achieve a bunch of laudable goals.
- bee_rider 3y agoIdeally “the government” wouldn’t fear the people any more than, say, my computer fears me. It is a tool. It exists to implement my will. Fear derives from things like our sense of self-preservation, and other concerns that our goals might not be achieved. Since the government ideally has no goal but to serve the people, it should have no fear (perhaps other than the fear of failure).