Our imagined state is now two steps removed from self rule. The people have grown reliant on government for choices they once made themselves, like when to plant a field and how to price the grain. Life in a republic diverts people from recalling life in a direct democracy. Soon their memories of living without any government vanish.

In time, even the basic tasks of a proxy democracy in the republic seem alien and futile. If people believe money buys the ballot box, that their votes do not count, they stop voting. People swallow bland public policy pabulum because they feel powerless. They lose hope. As apathy spreads, power shifts even further to the leaders.

Without deep feelings of community to sustain the social contract, people forget about self control or self realization. They indulge their lowest appetites. The people turn numb to suffering in themselves and others. They forget about compassion and mercy.

As the government loses accountability, access to leaders is tightly controlled. Those few people who bother to complain or protest are punished. When free speech dies, the social contract between voters and leaders fails. The bonds of community finally snap.

A communication breakdown between government and the people breeds revolt. Chaos ensues as communication failures multiply. With a promise to restore law and order, a charismatic leader arises to be a king. The people give up their civil liberties for the sake of security. Soon they forget the meaning of “freedom.” They are willing slaves who cannot be free because they do not know they have a choice.

*

PAINE’S parable shows how any “nation state” can migrate from individual self rule to a direct democracy to a representative republic and then slide into tyranny. The foothold of freedom stands forever on a slippery slope. As his words prove, Thomas Paine understood and championed the value of personal democracy.

“Here then is the origin and rise of government, namely, a mode rendered necessary by the inability of [individual] moral virtue to govern the world; here too is the design and end of government, viz,* freedom and security. And however our eyes may be dazzled with snow, or our ears deceived by sound; however prejudice may warp our wills, or interest darken our understanding, the simple voice of nature and of reason will say, it is right.”

* From the Latin videlicit, one may see. In the 18th century, viz meant “namely.”