To Catch a Thief

"A man may move a man. A father may claim a son. But remember that, even when those who move you be kings or men of power, your soul is in your keeping alone. When you stand before God you cannot say 'but I was told by others to do thus' or that 'virtue was not convenient at the time.' That will not suffice. Remember that."
--King Baldwin IV (Kingdom of Heaven)

rob: to take something away by force: steal from: to take personal property from by violence or threat.

An individual is confronted by a gang. The gang leader demands that the individual surrender his/her wallet, or else face coercive action. The individual complies.

An individual is confronted by the government. The government demands that the individual surrender a portion of his/her wealth, or else face coercive action. The individual complies.

Both acts are consistent with the definition of robbery.

When government action reflects the will of a small band of rulers, the thieves are the oligarchs themselves.

When government action reflects the will of the majority, the thieves include both those who carry out the robbery as well as those who voted for the theft via democratic process. In this case, government serves as agent for principals who seek the property of others.

Both are accomplices in an act of wrongdoing.