Controlled Opposition

The politics of the state apparatus is always about the expansion of its power. In opposition to this is the politics of liberty, which aims to reduce the power of the state. Once we fully realize this, it is fairly easy to identify real opposition, as opposed to controlled opposition. Real opposition to state sanctioned power is always against essential elements of the state apparatus. The controlled opposition, which is no opposition at all, is always about the expansion of state power.

Any protest in support of more taxation and more government control is by this measure a part of the controlled opposition. Whether or not such protests come into spontaneous existence has nothing to do with this. Spontaneous demand for more government control is as manageable and benefiting for government as is a carefully designed and orchestrated protest movement. In fact, if the demand for more government control is truly spontaneous, it is all the more useful for the state.

Identifying real, as opposed to controlled, opposition is in this context easy to do, provided the demand of the protesters are clear cut and uniform. A demand for lower taxes would be real opposition, clear and simple. However, a demand for increased state subsidies would fall into the category of controlled opposition.

When we have a demand for both lower taxes and more subsidies, we have a hybrid protest. The state response to such protests will typically be one of dialogue and compromise. The protesters get some of their demands met on condition that they stop protesting. Through skillful negotiations, the state usurps more power for itself, while giving very little back.

The way to deal with real and spontaneous opposition to state power, is to infiltrate the organization with controlled opposition. A pure tax revolt can in this way be turned into a hybrid protest that can in turn be dealt with through dialogue and compromise.

Party politics is very rarely about true opposition. Very few opposition parties insist on less power to the state, and when they do, it is rarely anything but empty words. Party politics are completely dominated by a mix of power and controlled opposition. What little real opposition remains is typically branded as extremist. Marxists and libertarians are bundled together as if they were two sides of the same coin.

This rhetoric is everywhere. Schools, colleges and universities defend it. The media repeats it. To be opposed to growing state power is to be an extremist. This is easy to see in the way true opposition is treated, as opposed to controlled opposition. True opposition leaders are muffled, put in prison and quietly forgotten, while controlled opposition gets all the limelight.

By Julia Hawkins - https://www.flickr.com/photos/8716204@N06/45009830075/, CC BY 2.0, Link