There’s a dirty, dangerous and undeniably true secret baked into our “democracies”. Governments — by definition — are defined by force. They do it in the name of maintaining order, enforcing laws, and shaping societal behaviour. But it is always this silent threat of force that supports those efforts.
Consider the below examples. They’re not fringe or extreme — at all. These instances demonstrate how Governments wield their power:
- ‘Your income tax assessment doesn’t match our records, so you’re going to use our conclusion.’
- ‘We don’t want you eating those healing herbs. You’ll eat these chemicals instead.’
- “If you kill someone in self-defence, you get time. A cop does it? They get counseling.’
- ‘You didn’t pay your tax bill, we’re freezing your bank account or garnishing wages until you do.’
- ‘We hear you believe that’s a hunting rifle. We think it’s an assault rifle, so we’re taking it.’
- ‘You have an unpaid speeding ticket, you can’t renew your car registration until that fine’s paid.’
- ‘We don’t care if you disagree, we’re sending your tax dollars to an immoral war. What are you going to do about it?’
- And finally, a word-for-word quote from a former “leader”:
“If you don’t want to get vaccinated, that’s your choice. But don’t think you can get on a plane or train and sit beside a vaccinated person and put them at risk!”— no name dropping required.
Indeed, Governments, at their core, are institutions that wield force. Let’s look closer at how that energy underpins their authority and functionality.
The essence of government lies in its monopoly on legitimate violence. Max Weber, a prominent sociologist, defined ‘the state’ as an entity with exclusive rights to use or authorize force within a territory. Laws, from traffic regulations to criminal codes, are enforced through penalties—fines, imprisonment, or, in extreme cases, execution. Without the threat of force, compliance would falter, as voluntary adherence alone cannot sustain complex societies. For instance, taxation, as mentioned earlier, relies on coercive mechanisms; failure to pay invites legal repercussions, backed by state power. Force also manifests in maintaining social stability. Governments deploy police or military to quell unrest, deter crime, or defend against external threats. Historical examples, like the Roman Empire’s legions or modern riot control, illustrate how force preserves authority. Even democratic governments, rooted in consent, depend on force to uphold electoral outcomes or judicial rulings when dissent arises.
However, force is not merely physical. Governments exert control through legal systems, surveillance, and economic sanctions, subtly coercing behaviour. Critics argue this risks overreach, as seen in authoritarian regimes where force stifles dissent. Yet, even in liberal democracies, force remains the backbone of governance, while maintaining the public perception of freedom.
We tend to believe “Politicians work for us”. But this is likely well crafted propaganda — a thought-virus designed to delude and pacify us with the illusion of public empowerment. Governments are fundamentally about coercion, as it enables them to enforce laws, maintain stability, and assert authority. While force can be tempered by consent, it remains the bedrock of governance.
They hold the cards. We’re left holding the bag.
This is one more reason why Alberta sovereignty is such a clear and beneficial option: we shed a layer of Government. The thickest, most bloated and expensive layer of it.
But more to the point of the freedom, sovereignty and independence that every human cell craves — Albertan or otherwise — we shed a layer of force.
Alberta’s sovereignty doesn’t just make sense. It might even bring more sanity to our society.
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