link to original reddit post by /u/ekkel88
I'm not an especially political person, but something that has been bothering me for years now, especially in light of the authoritarian powers Western governments have introduced over the last 18 months, is exactly what governments gain from having as much power - even ultimate power - over its citizens as possible?
(By "they," I mean the members of the government currently in power.)
- Does it make their jobs easier by keeping people compliant and in line?
- Are they trying to create the perception they are doing a good job?
- Do they wish to retain their elite status and the lifestyle that goes with it, and so any threat to that is quashed?
- Are they seeking to bring their ideology into being, and they feel the only way to do so is to enforce it, especially when they are able to take advantage of a crisis?
- Are they simply intoxicated by having power over others?
These are the questions I keep coming back to, but I have, as of yet, not been able to come to anything definitive.
Thank you.