I’m not arguing that either. To expand on the idea of a state in an oligarchy, since power stems from the capitalist and not the official government body, then the concept of the state can extend beyond the law and (official) institutional power.
I think we can all agree on the fact that the propaganda apparatus is part of the state, including mainstream media, and is beyond official government control. However, as described by Edward Bernays, propaganda stretches beyond just print and electronic media, but also includes think tanks, special interest groups, and movements. Like the NRA, GOA, etc.
For example, you can’t say that the Cuban American lobby or the Zionist lobby isn’t part of the state. On the surface, they appear to be grassroots organizations, but they are propped up and given power by capitalists because they support capitalist interests, and in return, they influence the people through false narratives, and gives an excuse to justify reactionary domestic and foreign policy.
In general, I would agree with you, but I think it’s a special case in the US. I would argue that with the way that gun ownership exists in the US, that civilian gun ownership is part of the state, as much as propaganda is a part of the state. As in an oligarchy, it would make sense that the government wouldn’t comprise of the entirety of the state.
There is a reason that gun ownership is mainly attributed to reactionary elements. This is intentional, resulting from the propagation and polarization of gun culture across party lines, and the subsequent rejection of gun culture and gun ownership by the opposing party. This results in the means for violence being concentrated in the most reactionary elements of society.
The state, through propaganda and law, has essentially set up this reserve militia as a reserve bulwark against progress. We have seen that it’s these reactionary forces that are the most willing and most able to use violence.
It’s not just gun ownership, but rather reactionary adventurism in general that’s not only encouraged but funded and protected by the state. (Like with the libs of TikTok bomb threats) I would go so far as to say this parallels what we saw in Italy before WWII, and the start of an official fascist regime.
But of course, this is just a framework for my research, and a lot of these claims are something I would still need to prove or deny. But this is a trend that I’ve been noticing recently.
I want to define exactly to what extent the state is present in America. If the state is defined as the only legal perpetrators of violence, and gun ownership is prevalent to such an extent in the US, then what does that say about gun owners?
Similarly, why is a larger percentage of white men more likely to own guns compared to non-white men?
Like, we know the answer from theory, but what are the laws and regulations that led to this result? Who had put these laws into practice? How does this criminalization used to segregate the populace and enforce privilege?
Like I get the statements with Kissinger and Palestine. And I probably would have made similar statements if I was in Xi’s position.
China doesn’t have the power to influence the situation in Palestine, nor does it have the power to go back in time and undo what Kissinger did.
But the fact is, I’m just some guy on the internet and not responsible for the well-being of a billion people. I have the privilege to criticize these statements.
And the current situation IS a one state solution. The Palestinian state is currently an extension of the Israeli state. When there is a massive imbalance of power, a two state solution is effectively the same as one estate; the Israeli state. There needs to be one state that not only favours Palestinians, but also has policies that eliminates segregation.
Weak. The official representative of the Palestinians is in the pockets of Israel.
In the best case scenario, the will and choice of the Palestinians might be respected, but they don’t have enough bargaining power to be given a sustainable or reasonable choice.
It’s like saying “until morale improves, the beatings will continue”.
Ronin_5 @ Ronin_5 @lemmygrad.ml Posts 1Comments 93Joined 2 yr. ago
It’s up in the air. On one hand, this leads to a greater reliance of goods coming from the US and Europe. On the other, they get to attack Yemen.