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.
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.