The 5th Empire - Security

Declaring ourselves citizens of the 5th Empire has no practical implications. No steps are required. The only change is spiritual. We no longer accept the state as our master. We are no longer prepared to be ruled, nor do we desire to rule. We want to be left alone to take care of our own affairs through voluntary interactions.

This means that our personal security will be unchanged. To the extent that we rely on the state for our protection, nothing changes. The state is still there, even if we no longer see ourselves as its subjects.

However, most of us do not in fact rely on the state for safety. We overwhelmingly rely on the good will and love of our neighbours. To foster this, we behave politely towards people we meet. In certain cultures, it is customary to greet people with a friendly god morning, even if we do not know them. Walking down the streets of my neighbourhood in Portugal, I greet people this way, especially those living in my area. The result is a sense of community. We look out for each other. If something unusual happens, people take action. Hostility is met with resistance.

Protection of our house and personal belongings is also ensured through simple measures. We lock the doors to our homes. We put valuables out of view. We keep a modest profile among strangers. For those with an impressive property, private security is available. An alarm can be installed. In an emergency, a guard will appear. This guard may be prevented by law from carrying a weapon, and must for this reason call the police to deal with armed intruders. However, as the 5th Empire expands, such laws will be revoked. As a society moves towards the 5th Empire, private security becomes more dominant until it completely replaces the police.

Private security guard

By Robbie Sproule from Montreal, Canada - Flickr.com - image description page, CC BY 2.0, Link