I don't think state control over individuals can be adequately characterised in terms of "more" or "less". Sometimes what governments do is to shift power and c

I don't think state control over individuals can be adequately characterised in terms of "more" or "less". Sometimes what governments do is to shift power and control from some groups of individuals to others, as in the case of consumer protection laws. In other cases they grab power for themselves, building a survaillance state. I think the debate should be more about what governments should do and why, not just how much they should do, i.e big or small government.