As most adults recognize, human relationships can take on many forms. A similar principle can be applied to relations between government and its citizens. Some are healthy and productive, while others are steeped in toxicity.
In an authentic democracy, government are mandated to maximize benefits to the general public. Their purpose is one of management– to optimize well being in key categories– socially, economically, culturally. Stability is based on relative affinity between government and the people.
Authoritarian states are founded on different principles. The goal of government is one of social conformity. To control not only behaviour, but human thought, is an ideal within totalitarian societies.
