From the White-Pillbox: Part 5

The State is getting desperate...a good sign that its days are numbered.

The actions of the State in recent years show signs of desperation. This is best seen by contrasting how the State carries itself now, compared to the past.

Demeanor of politicians - past

In the past the representatives of the State tended to act more dignified, reflecting the public perception that they were part of a legitimate and important institution. We can easily recall what politicians tried to convey in their public behavior: integrity, consistency, calm, confidence, intelligence (I am not suggesting politicians had these attributes…I am saying they generally acted this way).

Also, politicians often referred to the “rule of law” – the idea that law was above man and that the State’s role was to serve justice.¹

Demeanor of politicians - present

Today there is little pretense at dignity. Politicians more and more act in ways that are belligerent, impulsive, bullying, stubborn, childish, and petulant. The decisions they make convey the classic expressions of desperation: “grasping at straws”, “making it up as they go”, “being out of options”.

And the State rarely discusses the rule of law. Instead, the State simply acts.² The State’s COVID measures are a perfect example of this. Any pretense at respect for law is disappearing; the State’s true perspective of law is quickly becoming unmasked:

The law is nothing more than whatever an agent of the State says it is, in a given moment, in the circumstances at hand.³

And this leads to a key aspect of this White Pill: the State is both showing desperation, and starting to abandon the pretense of legitimacy. These trends reinforce each other. As it continues to show desperation, it loses legitimacy; as it loses legitimacy, it acts more desperately.

Masking the desire for control - past

In the past the State took pains to obfuscate issues and blur lines…to make issues vague and obscure enough so that most would not understand. This made politics seem too complex for the average person, and supported the myth that political leaders are necessary (“leaders understand these complex issues…they are way beyond me”).

Masking the desire for control - present

This has changed dramatically. The State’s efforts to control health, finance, travel, etc. are much more black-and-white…there is little that is vague and obscure about them.

We also more clearly see lies or obvious contradictions in State declarations. In the early days of COVID, for example, health workers were championed as essential and heroic; later they were subjected to job loss if they refused the vaccines. Another example: the politicians hypocritically (and blatantly) disregarded their own safety measures. Still another: vaccines were initially one tool to help combat the virus, and would be voluntary. Later, they were mandated by threatening one’s job or their access to services. As of this writing, administering the vaccine against consent may have arrived.

The State and its functionaries continue as if no one notices…all while more and more people actually notice. It is obvious that politicians no longer care whether they come off as despotic.

Fiscal behavior – past

At any time prior to the current decade, fiscal prudence was part of the conversation. True, it was generally only lip service. But at least the State kept it on the radar for political reasons.

Fiscal behavior – present

Today, government spends basically at will, and we see almost no serious mainstream discussion of fiscal restraint.

It takes little to understand how a monetary crash is inevitable…how this is as unsustainable for a government, as wild spending would be for an individual.

Government cannot fully fund its programs and debt by taxes, as this would be politically unpopular. But it can print money, knowing full well this devalues the dollar by inflation with each passing month.

And the State is doing this in the face of the obvious disastrous consequences. This is the essence of desperation.

More White Pills we can find in the State’s desperation

The State’s crumbling influence

One would think the State would have no reason to act desperate. It enjoys the power of propaganda to influence men into believing it legitimate. Moreover, the major private institutions fall over themselves in support of the State: the major media, academia, large corporations, entertainment, even religion. The State’s place in human culture seems so well established, one might expect it to show utter confidence.

To have that much influence, and yet still act desperate, suggests that influence is quickly becoming a flimsy house of cards.

The State is oblivious to the consequences

The difference between individual acts of desperation, and the desperation we are witnessing by the State is this: the State does not feel desperation. It cannot, because it is not a conscious entity.

As feeling humans, at least we can sense desperation, which can impede our reckless actions. But the State’s desperate actions have no such brakes.

But isn’t the collapse of the State a Black Pill?

There is no guarantee that the State’s drift into obscurity will be painless. But we must always return to the fundamental truth that the State is an illegitimate institution that impedes human peace and prosperity.

The signs that the State’s days are numbered only appear to be a Black Pill when we assume that with the collapse of the State comes a collapse of humanity: of peace, love, trade, order, and justice.

But the State creates war, fear and hate; it impedes trade; it creates and encourages disorder; and its laws create injustice. The end of the State should be welcomed with open arms.

Conclusion

It is indeed a White Pill that the growing signs of the State’s desperation presage its ultimate collapse. And the process may be painful. But we are fortunate to live in a world of vast and decentralized knowledge, of brilliant imagination, technology and productivity. Our ancestors managed to survive untold horrors, with little help. We should take heart that we are well-positioned to adapt to challenges as the State fades away.

1. It can be debated whether these are sound ideas, or merely vague expressions that mix our intuitions of right and wrong, with patriotic feelings that lend faith-based support to the State.

2. More specifically, it rarely justifies or supports its actions on principles (such as local or constitutional law). For politicians, the act of acting is sufficient; their role as the rulers of people is their implied (and only) justification.

3. This principle has always been true. But it is glaringly evident now. The State is dropping the facade of the rule of law. Now it is true that outright dictatorships show no pretense; they act without consequence or concern. But modern western democracies (constitutional republics), had to hide behind the myth of the rule of law. What is new, is that they are no longer bothering to.

Authoritarian action is unsustainable. Observably, dictatorial rule often ends in bloodshed – including, quite often, the dictator’s. Desperation means knowing this, yet acting nonetheless.