Hobbesian theory (or Hobbesian view of anarchy) suggests that in the absence of a state, society will fall into chaos before succumbing to warlords and barbarism.
There’s reasoning behind the belief. After all, it’s the current state of things, though most people are unable to recognize the collar.
The facts of the leash are unmistakable only with a Herculean subconscious effort.
Quite simply, we pay thugs to mostly leave us alone. In return, they don’t. They simply demand more. When they go to battle, we must provide ourselves or our children to kill and die for their cause.
In short, if the state ceased to exist tomorrow, the realization of most people’s fears would be a return to yesterday.
The path to here from nothing is pretty straightforward. Man was building a world full of unknowns and danger. Food was a scarcity. Shelter was a scarcity. Life was short and brutal, and tribalism made perfect sense.
If society fell apart today, we would not be starting from that point. Today, even gangsters know that peace, cooperation, and commerce are more profitable than brutality and destruction.
Today, the most government does is stifle private cooperation and commerce for its own ends.
Would the world be perfect in the absence of government? No. Would there be ruthless and crazy people? Yes, of course. The biggest difference is they wouldn’t be granted a monopoly on violence and called heads of state.
The empire is ready to fall. It has grown too heavy. This isn’t salvageable anymore. What matters now is preparing for life after the fall.
I have long advocated for a peaceful and silent secession. Building networks, communities of trust, and markets outside of the state is something we should have been doing years ago, decades ago, instead of arguing about which ruler would be the least evil.
What’s left to do is preach the gospel, trust in the lord, open some eyes, and make honest, loving, and trusting connections.
The church rose from the fall of Rome. What will survive this time? It’s up to you.