Why Do We Listen to the Government?

The Illusion of Social Contracts and the Traps That Bind Us

Governments and their “Constitutions”

Introduction

In my book, I delve deeply into the concept of government, a cornerstone of modern society. Drawing inspiration from the works of thinkers like

Etienne de la Boetie2

, I explore how the idea of governance and its so-called “social contract” is not as natural or beneficial as it appears.

La Boétie2’s insights reveal the government’s psychological grip on society, one that relies on fear and ignorance to sustain itself. This theme is central to understanding how constructs like science, technology, and governance shape our modern reality.

Recently, the

Academy of Ideas

released an excellent video on government, building on many of the concepts I discuss in my book. In this article, I’ll address three key aspects of that video and pose critical questions:

1. Why do we listen the government?

2. Have we truly consented to be governed?

3. And is there a better system we can imagine?

With a new regime poised to take control under Donald Trump, it’s crucial to critically evaluate the legitimacy o…