The Rise of the State and the Demise of the Citizen: A Review

In this thought-provoking book, the author argues that the rise of the state has led to the demise of the citizen. This is a must-read for anyone interested in political philosophy or the history of Western civilization.

Freedom in Chains: The Rise of the State and the Demise of the Citizen

by James Bovard

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	968 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	466 pages
X-Ray for textbooks	:	Enabled

FREE

The Rise of the State

The state is a relatively recent invention in human history. For most of human existence, people lived in small, decentralized communities without any centralized authority. However, as societies grew more complex, the need for a central authority to regulate social and economic life became increasingly apparent.

The first states emerged in Mesopotamia and Egypt around 3500 BCE. These early states were essentially city-states, with a small ruling class that controlled the military and the economy. Over time, states grew in size and power, and they began to expand their control over larger and larger territories.

The Demise of the Citizen

As the state grew in power, the citizen began to decline. In the early days of the state, citizens were active participants in public life. They served on juries, held public office, and participated in the military. However, as the state grew more powerful, citizens lost their ability to influence public policy.

The decline of the citizen was accelerated by the rise of bureaucracy. In the early days of the state, government was relatively simple and straightforward. However, as the state grew in size and complexity, it became increasingly necessary to create a bureaucracy to manage the day-to-day operations of government.

The bureaucracy created a barrier between the state and the citizen. Citizens no longer had direct access to their representatives, and they were forced to rely on bureaucrats to represent their interests. This led to a decline in citizen participation in public life and a corresponding increase in the power of the state.

The Future of the Citizen

The decline of the citizen is a serious problem for democracy. In a democracy, citizens are supposed to be the ultimate source of political power. However, if citizens are unable to participate in public life, then democracy cannot function properly.

The author of this book argues that the future of democracy depends on the revitalization of the citizen. He calls for a new era of citizen activism, in which citizens take back control of their government and their lives.

The Rise of the State and the Demise of the Citizen is a timely and important book. It is a must-read for anyone who is concerned about the future of democracy.

Freedom in Chains: The Rise of the State and the Demise of the Citizen

by James Bovard

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	968 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	466 pages
X-Ray for textbooks	:	Enabled

FREE