this post was submitted on 11 Apr 2025
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Isn't it though? The police were created to hunting down escaped slaves. The government was set up to keep the wealthy land owners in charge (only they could vote afterall). Schools were created to meet the needs of growing industry.
I'm struggling to find anything that was built specifically for the people and not the rich.
The government gives the working class a way to have their grievances heard and addressed in a way other than starting a rebellion.
Yes, it serves to keep the powerful in power, but that's irrelevant to my point. It also serves to make sure the little people get taken care of well enough that we don't kill the ones in power.
For a more specific example, see unions. The alternative to unions is plant managers getting killed.
I think you just made my point. The rich designed a system where they trade complacency for the illusion of control. And they didn't have to give up any meaningful amount of power.
And you are missing mine.
So help me see it?
I agree with you that the systems we have built keep the powerful in power. That's what they get out of the deal.
But the point of civilization has less to do with them, and more to do with interactions between regular people. If I have a dispute with you, for example, over some property, we can call on lawyers, police, regulatory bodies and similar to help us settle our dispute. We maybe don't like the resolution, but, by and large, we accept it.
Without those systems, I could just beat you up, and take the property for myself. You're only real option would be to kill me, and take it back.
Similar, we can do things like vote out our leaders, or move to other places. We have options besides burning down the castle, or setting up a guillotine.
Civilization is about giving us that alternative.