I still don't see how a linguistic word, 'the State', can think, make
decisions or act. Only material individuals can do any of these things.

Perhaps the question should really be based around the Power of
enforcing decisions. Which individuals have the power to 'make things
happen'? It doesn't matter whether they are a few or many - the point
is, who has the power to enforce decisions? How is power attained and
maintained?   I suggest - that all groups have focal points of
power - whether abstract or particular- in which power is
invested. Whether it be the abstract gods, the Delphic Oracles, the
Constitution, the courts, the control of the water-holes, the control
of the cattle grazing lands, the loyalty of an army - whatever - the
real question may be - the power of enforcing decisions.

A small population will have power sites that are more readily
accessed by all; a larger population limits access to those
power-sites. This need not result in tyranny - IF those accessing
power understand that they are 'intermediaries' of governance and
work for the community.  If they, however, become pathological
personalities - or are already, ( Garelli has pointed out how such
individuals may be developed)- then power is misused and the group -
whether non-state or state - becomes corrupted and self-destructive.
Because we are a primarily conceptual species, and this
conceptualization requires extensive socialization, then homo sapiens
has the capacity to produce many pathological individuals. A
sociopath is charming, extremely manipulative - and can easily access
power.  How do we deal with that?

I suppose my point is that I don't accept this binary framework of
govt vs people. I don't see how a group can exist without a
centralizing organization, which 'makes the decisions'. In biological
terms - it can be the DNA; in human terms - it can be the governing
rules of that society - and the means of putting those rules into
practice.  But - it is individuals who both make those rules and who
carry them out.
Machiavelli - who has been much maligned - warned again and again,
that those who govern must never remove themselves from the wishes of
the people. The Prince - despite the symbolic meaning of that term -
had to maintain a society that wanted to be that society - whose
people were productive and healthy. Otherwise - he too would be
justly overthrown.

Edwina Taborsky
Bishop's University          Phone:  (819)822.9600
                                      Ext. 2424
Lennoxville, Quebec          Fax:    (819)822.9661
Canada  JIM 1Z7