The Narrow Corridor
An exploration of the balance between state power and personal freedom.
Summary of 7 Key Points
Key Points
- The ‘Red Queen Effect’ between states and societies
- The ‘Leviathan’ as a concept of a strong state
- The importance of a ‘Shackled Leviathan’ for liberty
- The role of society in constraining or enabling the state
- Historical examples illustrating the balance of power
- The dangers of the Absent Leviathan and the Despotic Leviathan
- Strategies for achieving the Narrow Corridor to liberty
key point 1 of 7
The ‘Red Queen Effect’ between states and societies
The ‘Red Queen Effect’ is a term borrowed from evolutionary biology, representing an arms race or a perpetual contest that keeps the conflicting parties in a state of dynamic equilibrium. Applied in the context of states and societies, it encapsulates the constant tug of war between the two for power and control…Read&Listen More
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The ‘Leviathan’ as a concept of a strong state
The concept of the ‘Leviathan’ refers to a strong and authoritative state that possesses the power and capacity to enforce rules and maintain social order. This state has the power to provide public goods, enforce contracts, and restrain violence, among other things. It is a potent force that can be harnessed for good, but also has the potential to be oppressive…Read&Listen More
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The importance of a ‘Shackled Leviathan’ for liberty
A ‘Shackled Leviathan’ denotes a robust state that is effectively constrained and controlled by a strong society. This balance between state and society is crucial for the sustenance of liberty. A state that is too overpowering can lead to despotism, while a society that is too influential can result in lawlessness. The ‘Shackled Leviathan’ strikes the perfect balance by ensuring that the state is powerful enough to maintain order and provide public goods, yet is kept in check by a society that can prevent it from overreaching its boundaries. ..Read&Listen More
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The role of society in constraining or enabling the state
In ‘The Narrow Corridor’, the authors postulate that society plays a significant role in either constraining or enabling the state. Society, in this context, includes all the social forces and institutions that exist outside the realm of the state. These entities have the potential to influence the behavior and policies of the state, either by working in tandem with it or by offering resistance against it…Read&Listen More
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Historical examples illustrating the balance of power
The balance of power can be seen in how society has evolved throughout history. For instance, in ancient times, such as in the Roman Empire, the balance of power was skewed towards the state or the rulers. The society was centralized, the people had few rights, and the state had a monopoly on violence. This led to a form of governance that was authoritarian and undemocratic, where the rulers had unchecked power and the people were largely powerless…Read&Listen More
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The dangers of the Absent Leviathan and the Despotic Leviathan
The dangers of the Absent Leviathan represent the risk of society falling into chaos and lawlessness. In this scenario, there is no centralized authority capable of enforcing laws and maintaining social order. As a result, violence, crime, and anarchy become the norm. Individuals are left to fend for themselves, leading to a survival-of-the-fittest environment. This condition often results in the exploitation and oppression of the vulnerable and weaker sections of society. Overall, the absence of a Leviathan creates a society that is brutal, unstable, and unsafe…Read&Listen More
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Strategies for achieving the Narrow Corridor to liberty
The first step in achieving the Narrow Corridor to liberty is the establishment of a balanced power dynamic between the state and society. This balance is achieved when both the state and society have enough capacity to check and challenge each other. When state and society are on equal footing, they create a ‘shackled Leviathan’, a scenario where the state is powerful enough to deliver public goods and enforce law and order, but is also restrained by a strong civil society that can resist its encroachments…Read&Listen More