The state: a neutral identity

Max Striner believes that the purpose of the state is, under all conditions, solely to limit, tame, subordinate or subjugate and individual. I beg to differ. The concept of state has to some extent or another persisted in all societies. But the very foundations of this concept are based on "serving" the people. The state was a system reformed only so that order may be maintained such that people were aided in living as comfortably, safely and harmoniously as possible. I highly adhere to the concept of the state as a universally altruistic body working for the greater good of its members. It is, however, true that throughout history rulers have encroached upon the powers of the state and used its sovereignty and exercised it legitimate authority as a tool to dominate people which is why universal egoism of the state comes into being. In this aspect, I oppose Maz Striner. The state is fundamentally just a body to work for the permanent interests of the society and to maintain overall order. It is the partisan government, the means to implementing state’s power,  that when left unchecked works for its own interests and uses the state’s power to implement  authoritarian policies that restrict individuals the oppose. The state maintains itself as an neutral and impersonal authority, a symbol of goodness. It is simply a system to safeguard its citizens. The government in power are those on whom it depends whether or not the purpose of the state is to serve or to dominate.  This difference is evident by how the state’s image is formed based on the policies of those in power in various forms of state. The contrast between the totalitarian state and developmental state is simply a difference between the strategies of the ruling party. To view one as oppressive and the other as progressive would simply be a matter of opinion. Both are states but their massive variation stems from how those in power utilize the tool called the state to achieve their objectives and in that lies the image of “the state”.