I have suddenly become interested in this thread. People are arguing against each other, wondering if government is actually a good thing or if anarchy is better. But before I begin, I would like to clarify the definition of “government.”

gov·ern·ment   [guhv-ern-muhnt, ‐er-muhnt]
–noun
1.
the political direction and control exercised over the actions of the members, citizens, or inhabitants of communities, societies, and states; direction of the affairs of a state, community, etc.; political administration: Government is necessary to the existence of civilized society.

So a government is not necessarily good or bad, it is simply a unified direction upon which a society is constructed. Likewise, I look at “anarchy.”

an·ar·chy   [an-er-kee]
–noun
1.
a state of society without government or law.

Anarchy happens to be (through logic) an un-unified set of directions upon which society is constructed.

So then I ask myself “what seems better a society in which the people are moving toward a common good or a society in which argument is common?” I, of course, would pick option A.

But before I skip joyfully away, I realize that that is impossible, human never agree for long. I was simply living in a fairytale. So I take a look into history.

Governments have a habit of appearing and disappearing. The longest Government that existed (in recorded history) was that of Egypt, in the time of the pharaohs. But in Egypt I then realize that all of Egypt was united into a common goal: to obey the will of their gods (which was supposedly communicated through the pharaohs). The fall of their society was mostly caused by the degradation of that ideal.

Sticking to the Egypt theme, I notice that their religion was based upon two things: chaos and order. As order degraded, chaos would overcome and it did. I look at other governments. As I look, I realize that that as a society survives the tolls of time, the “common direction” that formed their government steadily degrades. Time goes on, things change, and the reasons for the “common direction” are no longer there. People begin to wonder why there is a government at all. The government collapses, a new “common direction” is found, and the cycle begins again. It has been seen countless times in history: The dynasties of China (always renewing), and the royalty in Europe (replaced by republics).

Interesting, isn’t it, that anarchy never lasts for long and is soon after swept up into a pile of government. After Europe left Africa, the New African nations survived a bit and then (for the most part) collapsed into anarchy, only to be swept back up by regional warlords (in some countries). These warlords seem to always have one direction: preservation of their power. In this case, being directionless seems to be a better approach. But while being directionless, your thoughts can never be communicated through any direction, so if a government, perhaps in the form of an angry mob (yes, humans do that), comes along, you will be swept along in their direction. As for the creation of militias, well that happens to be a direction; a direction apposing that of the mob, so you can hardly call that anarchy.

Now I begin to realize. My country of the United States of America has stood for over two centuries, the thoughts of “no taxation without representation” have dissolved. As has our common direction. Will a new common direction will be found? or will we remain directionless and fall into anarchy? Will we be swept away into the currents of another direction? or will we stand strong and create a peaceful transition into a new, more powerful direction? I suppose it is my choice, and yours.

P.S. Apologies for taking up a lot of room.