They say the State or the Government is not inherently evil. Well, it depends of how you view evil. And that’s more than just a semantic question, it’s a question of theology, psychology, philosophy and probably a number of other fields. I view evil theologically as a privation of good and philosophically as well as psychologically as inflicted suffering that is not necessary, or rather suffering that would not be by default.
And in light of this it is quite understandable, that I view statement such us “the State is necessary evil” as a very dangerous one, since it presupposes that evil is absolutely necessary and I do not find this to be true. Tragedy is there by default. It is tragic, in nature, that an earthquake causes many deaths. It’s the fact of nature, that a predator kills their pray. Evil, however is any action, which causes suffering, which would not be needed, necessary or even exist before hand. Therefore every single law, that the State with their monopoly on coercion makes, inevitably causes evil, or in other words, suffering that would previously not be present.
Governance, however, by its-self isn’t inherently evil, as we can see in corporate governance for example. It only becomes evil, when it declares monopoly over the use of coercion. Why? Because even mere threat that there is someone with the power to take what is yours causes psychologically relevant suffering and thus by default the State through it’s coercive government is by default evil.
Also, people are by default sinful, not necessarily evil. Similarly as aforementioned, evil is an actualized or declared action, which causes suffering that is not necessary. Sin is “to miss the mark” to not be perfect in God’s eyes. Sin may cause evil, but it itself is not evil.
And yes, the State, as a monopoly on coercion, is always, and always will be inherently evil. If evil is not absolutely necessary, it therefore follows, that the State is not necessary.
So the next time someone tells you that the State (or anything for that matter) is a necessary evil, think about this and the underlying assumptions. Take a stand for reason, truth and not for evil.
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