Previously
In the previous article of this series (here), we looked at the fact that value is being stolen out of our wallets each and every day by our prime suspect, the state. Now, let’s consider the means by which the state engages in said theft and what it means for the relationship between government and the citizenry, the governing and the governed.
Audio
< audio link here >
The Fundamental Nature Of All Governments
Before digging into the nature of the relationship between the governing and the governed, I would like to ask you three first principle [1] questions regarding the fundamental nature of government itself:
- What is the lifeblood of the U.S. government which allows it to operate far beyond its Constitutionally mandated scope and powers?
- What enables modern governments [2] the ability to engage in all long-term tyranny and authoritarianism?
- What empowers the state to operate with complete impunity and a total lack of accountability to the people?
We will revisit these questions near the end of this opening series. I believe that one answer addresses all three questions.
By the end of this series, I hope that we all arrive at the same answer. Concomitant to that, I think that we will arrive at the same solution to the problem of government perpetually extracting value from you.
Next Steps
Let’s take a look at the relationship between government and the governed and how the state consistently interferes with the lives of its citizens < link here > .
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End Notes, References, & Citations
[1] First Principles: First principles thinking is a problem-solving approach that involves breaking down complex issues into their most fundamental components, ignoring assumptions and preconceptions, and rebuilding solutions from scratch. This method encourages critical thinking, creativity, and innovation by focusing on the underlying principles and laws that govern a system or phenomenon.
Key Characteristics:
- Starting From Scratch: First principles thinking begins with a blank slate, untainted by prior knowledge or assumptions.
- Fundamental Components: It identifies the essential building blocks of a problem or system, disregarding secondary or superficial aspects.
- Rebuilding From Scratch: Solutions are constructed anew, using the fundamental components and principles, rather than relying on analogies or existing solutions.
- Critical Thinking: First principles thinking requires rigorous analysis and evaluation of assumptions, leading to a deeper understanding of the underlying principles.
- The Brave search engine has a good primer on first principles that I recommend to everyone (search for “first principles”).
Other sources
- “First Principles: The Building Blocks of True Knowledge” here
- “First Principle” here
- “The First Principles Method Explained by Elon Musk” video here
[2] “modern government“:
- “modern’ being within the past 2,000 years.
- Any state which is able to operate with vast scope and scale across a relatively large land mass for multiple centuries.
- Any nation-state which has established the four pillars of a civil society – written language, civics, the rule of law, and money