The state is, therefore, by no means a power forced on society from without; just as little is it ‘the reality of the ethical idea’, ‘the image and reality of reason’, as Hegel maintains. Rather, it is a product of society at a certain stage of development; it is the admission that this society has become entangled in an insoluble contradiction with itself, that it has split into irreconcilable antagonisms which it is powerless to dispel. But in order that these antagonisms, these classes with conflicting economic interests, might not consume themselves and society in fruitless struggle, it became necessary to have a power, seemingly standing above society, that would alleviate the conflict and keep it within the bounds of ‘order’; and this power, arisen out of society but placing itself above it, and alienating itself more and more from it, is the state.
The Origin of the Family, Private Property and the State,
@thepeacockangel this is the definition ive been going off for a year now, and idk its served me well for my discussions with both anarchists and marxists (via resist-rebel-rejoice)
I mean that sounds good, but like what does that mean in terms of its concrete functions? Like what stuff does it have to do to be a state? Does it have to have a monopoly on violence? Above it how? For that matter who is included in a society? What requirements does a society have to meet to qualify as a society?
Like it’s a nice statement but I guess like what does it mean in concrete terms? Does it mean a monopoly on violence? Does it mean having power over what eggs are allowed to be labeled jumbo?
Thoughts From The Peacock Angel 