The Work of the State and Our Life

Greetings Fellow Travelers,
When we think about work, our life and living it, we often perceive the expression of that experience as a measure of the individual citizen, at least in my opinion. "We can make it if we try hard enough", which is a fair, but not an absolute fact. However I would like to examine the work of the state, as it relates to the individual and collective experience of the society/nation that it has been commissioned to serve. I offer my definitions of the state, citizen and the other attendant elements as related to this discussion. The state herein refers to that entity,chosen by the citizenry or selected by another authority, to serve their collective interests and needs. Resist the urge to begin questioning, if the state is democratic or not, we will get to that in another discussion. The citizen refers to all those who happen to fall under the political jurisdiction of the state, and in its functional sense, would have to include those who temporarily or permanently reside therein.

Point is, that in discussing the work of the state, what begins to emerge is the fact that our understanding or definition of that actor impacts in a very direct way our individual and collective experience, essentially as related to our human rights. In effect there is an inherent and vital understanding/expectation that there is a contract between the citizen and the state. When one or the other party fails, neglects or in any way compromises their obligations, the contract has to be voided. Of course, the relevance of this process, would call into question the nature of the state.

I would offer that the most vital responsibility of the state is public safety, to protect the life of the citizens and prevent injury. To me this is the defining element and the fundamental reason for the existence of the state and the precondition for the loyalty of the citizen. Not only does this challenge the validity of the contract, but that condition then commands a reappraisal of the responsibilities of all involved, but primarily the citizens who hired the the individuals or groups to serve their needs and interest.

Throughout history this challenge has been encountered and dealt with and produced a range of results. The American revolution being one such example. When the state, not only fails to fulfill these constitutional obligations, but becomes a hazard to the wellbeing of the citizens then the implications are even more stark. However that situation, would not only implicate the state and the actual citizen and local civil society, but also the international community. Yes as you might have guessed by now, I am thinking about the several countries, where for all intents and purposes that contract seems to have been broken. That the experience and even possibility of life has been jeopardized, not by the failure of the citizen to be productive, but by the inability of the state to do the work of defending and advancing the life interests and needs of the people.

Reflect on this quote from the Declaration of Independence of the United States of America,
"But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security".