Chaos is converted into order by way of authority. Governments are established to assist people in accomplishing their dreams without fear. It is necessary to establish states in order to advance from the tribal form of government where one band plunders another. This back and forth warfare causes the people to live hand to mouth with minimal education or social advances. For big things to be accomplished and to increase our ability to get enjoyment out of life beyond survivalist drudgery, we need to cooperate with each other on a higher or a state level. The real debate concerns what type of cooperation accomplishes the most.

Modern anarchism is a matter of taste that can only be described as anti-establishment. The belief is used toward whatever authority exists that doesn’t give certain people what they want. There is merit to reigning in government when it is corrupt, but most of the time this ideology is used by those who riot. It is the ideology of mob rule. Trashing businesses or spoiling a free speech event has no merit and these actions only make the case for more authority.

There are two realistic views that we can address in general.  Both of them are rooted in accountability. A collectivist believes that people are accountable to a body of people or a society. An Individualist believes that people are accountable only to themselves. In order to have a government, certain parts of our lives have to be ceded over (alienated) to the common cause while certain areas are expected to remain private. These private areas are  the ones we want to keep control over to accomplish our own dreams (inalienable).

Both ideologies are applicable in every form of government, but can go wrong by the improper use of sovereignty.  Sovereignty can be described as the final authority. Collectivism has an ugly side in the belief that those who don’t go along with the collective will, deserve death. The ugly side of the individualist view would believe that anyone who interferes with their own will, deserves death. Historically, extreme collectivism has caused mass death where extreme individualism is a hard one to get numbers on since it is scattered across all societies.

These ideologies can go wrong with or without the influence of religion. Whether it is the collective will, the body of Christ, or Islam, none has the right to claim total sovereignty over people’s lives. No individual can claim total sovereignty over others because of an appointment or destiny given by God. Absent religion, the sovereignty becomes the good of the people.  This concept can also be used as a catalyst for abuse and are the first words have been used by every dictator and authoritarian throughout history.

This isn’t intended to demonize anyone’s ideology, but describe them by use of extremes. We know there is a mixture unique to every cause that accomplishes the goal of common good in the best way. The debates that occur today are based in whether individual control is the most beneficial or if certain areas need to be ceded over to the collective will. Sometimes it is more efficient to have a common entity such as a highway department since roads cross the entire country. Most business decisions are better left to people who have practical knowledge and have a stake in its success.