Statist Mentality

Say that you'll never, never, never need it
One headline why believe it?
Everybody wants to rule the world
--Tears For Fears

Why do some people prefer using state intervention over peaceful cooperation to get what they want? Several explanations are plausible.

Getting more for less. The most straightforward answer is that by employing strong armed government agents who can take from some for the benefit of others, statists can obtain more of what they want than could be obtained through individual effort and voluntary exchange with others. Many of the other explanations offered below can be seen as more specific forms of getting more for less.

Power and control. Statists like to control the behavior others. They gain psychic income by watching the state wield power over the governed.

Envy and resentment. Statists resent the skills, possessions, positions of others. State force provides a mechanism for reducing what is seen as excessive and unfair advantage.

Low self confidence and self esteem. Statists do not believe that they can succeed in a free society. Instead, they seek the support of the state.

Lack of trust in others. Because they do not trust others, statist believe that the state must constantly oversee and regulate the behavior of people.

Empathy. Statists empathize with the problems of others. State force is seen as a mechanism for reducing what is seen as unfair disadvantage.

Guilt. Some statists feel guilty about the skills, possessions, positions that they have been blessed with or have achieved or developed. Rather than voluntarily sharing those gifts with those less fortunate, statists employ the strong arm of government to take their benefits away. in addition, they want government to act in similar fashion against other 'people of privilege.'

Conceit. Statists feel that they know what other people want and need more than the people do themselves. Statists feel that they can use their superior knowledge and intellect to improve the lives of others through the application of government force.

The pathology that governs statist mentality is likely influenced by a blend of such factors.