TyrannyHigh on Order

Low on Freedom

AnarchyHigh on Freedom

Low on Order

The Human Predicament

Forming Government: A Social Contract

In a state of nature people are free to do whatever they please and the world is basically in anarchy. Because humans desire some safety and protection in their lives, they make a social contract, agreeing to be governed in exchange for order.

The Human Predicament: Tyranny

Human nature propels those with power to abuse their power, causing pain and hardship among those they govern. Tyrannical subjects have three options: do nothing and remain miserable, leave, or revolt.

The Human Predicament: RevolutionThose who seek freedom from tyranny plot to remove it. If their revolution fails, the pain and hardship is sure to worsen. If it succeeds, the result is often no better – and sometimes actually worse than the tyranny.

Bolshevik Revolution French Revolution

The Human Predicament

Anarchy and Competing Groups

The Second Congo War or African World War. 5.4 million dead.

No one person or group maintains power. Mass disorder. There is complete freedom and no order. The forces who disposed of the tyrant cannot agree on a common course of action and fight among themselves for control. Sometimes the conflict will go on and on in a cycle of violence and terror. Sometimes it will be short – until a new tyrant brings some sense of order.

The Human Predicament: Alternatives?

For most of human history, people have been forced to choose between tyranny and anarchy. But is it possible to balance freedom and order and escape the human predicament, creating the “good society”? Did the United States?