Tyranny

"So, here's to the men who did what was considered wrong, in order to do what they knew was right...what they KNEW was right."
--Benjamin Franklin Gates (National Treasure)

Tyrants are people in positions of authority who forcefully take freedom from others. The force is offensive rather than defensive in nature.

While it can take place in various contexts, tyrannical rule is usually associated with government. Governments that invade the freedoms of individuals engage in tyrannical behavior.

There are degrees of tyrannical behavior. The more freedom taken from individuals, the more despotic the government. For example, a government that forces people into internment camps is more tyrannical than a government that restricts production of certain kinds of light bulbs.

Because some people are more sensitive to loss of freedom than others, those who value freedom the most will be the first to recognize tyrannical government behavior. These people are canaries in the coal mine of sorts, since they warn at relatively low levels of despotism. Unfortunately, however, claims of tyranny voiced by this group are likely to sound shrill, radical, and misguided to a majority that has yet to sense loss of freedom.

As despotic government grows, however, so does recognition of tyranny. As Jefferson observed, when the "train of abuses and usurpations" escalates to an unbearable level, then those who value freedom will "throw off" the tyrannical government.

This repetitive process: escalating tyranny, growing recognition of tyranny, and the overthrow of tyranny has been the story of mankind.

We are cycling through it once again.