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On 2016-09-30 16:51, spike wrote:<br>
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<div class="WordSection1"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">If
one sees the federal government as a law man, then that
government wants its citizens armed, for they are then allies
in defeating lawlessness. If a federal government wants to be
a parent-like structure, then it wants the citizenry disarmed,
for being a parent-structure requires more centralized power,
a lot more money and strict obedience from its subjects, since
it is a much bigger task.<o:p></o:p></span>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">In
that context, what is the British government?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<br>
The British government doesn't want one thing. It is simultaneously
representing the citizens as an overworked social worker, trying to
teach them to behave like an exasperated teacher, helping them
express themselves freely and obey like children, and treating them
as customers. <br>
<br>
Note that guns are not the issue here: gun rights are not relevant
for the question of how people relate to their government here. The
relationship is very much about what social relationship it is, but
violent power is not a major part of it. <br>
<br>
This email is written from inside Windsor Castle. I am literally at
the nuclear core of British sovereignty (OK, I am in the Lower Ward,
so the monarchon radiation is not too dangerous here). The evensong
from St George's chapel and grandeur of the facade is a more potent
weapon for keeping the citizenry in line than any amount of guns.
This is soft power.<br>
<br>
<pre class="moz-signature" cols="72">--
Dr Anders Sandberg
Future of Humanity Institute
Oxford Martin School
Oxford University</pre>
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