there never was any hope.
government has never been about anything other than enslaving by degrees; one can argue that it's a necessary evil for survival of the species, and that may be true; but it is the articulation of the dark side of the human mind.
I could go there, argument wise, if "human nature" unfettered is exceptionally non-cooperative, unlike the apparent nature of other social species.
I see a balance to struggle two impulses. One is, Let's get together to disable all the bad guys (within and without), and the other is, Let's get together to enable all the good guys. And yes, there's Let's get together to have things our way.
No matter how I look at it, there's always the "let's get together" thing. At least when I focus with a long and abstract view, and consider what arguments can sway the largest number so as to survive and grow into a political position.
OTOH, when I try to see what goes on in tribe size groups, I do notice dominance, as it needs to stand out to make its mark. Less noticeable are the positive facilitators, like neighbors down the street who just like to host a barbecue every month or the kid who takes a sympathy card around for signatures when someone dies. Humans who don't have impulses to share in effect don't qualify as members of the species.
So, maybe it's that when I say I can get behind the dark side view of government, it's that sometimes I feel it's taken on for itself (in some cases) the giving and supportive role I would like to have. I also argue with government taking on the exclusive role of arbiter of justice; the populace is effectively told, You don't have to be just -- we got that covered. Just go on with your life and get away with anything we haven't thought to outlaw yet.
