The Myth of State Independence: A Tool of Political Power

February 28, 20255 min readOpinion
Mazhar

Mazhar

Staff Writer

The Myth of State Independence: A Tool of Political Power

The idea that the state is an independent, neutral entity that governs fairly for all its citizens is a myth. In reality, every state is controlled by politicians who come to power through the support of certain sections of society. Once in power, these politicians serve their backers, favor their allies, and often suppress or neglect opposing groups. This inherent bias makes the state an instrument of political dominance rather than an independent guardian of all citizens. Democracy and the Illusion of Fair Representation: In democratic systems, leaders are elected through popular vote, but elections are not purely fair or neutral. Politicians need financial support, media influence, and votes—all of which come from specific groups with vested interests. As a result: Governments prioritize business elites, religious groups, or ideological supporters over the general population. Policies are shaped to favor corporations, caste groups, racial or ethnic communities, or political ideologies that helped the ruling party gain power. The opposition, minorities, or marginalized groups often face discrimination, suppression, or neglect. Even in democracies that claim to serve "all people," lobbying, corruption, and ideological biases ensure that some sections of society benefit more than others. State as a Tool for Political Control: Throughout history, the state has rarely functioned as a neutral body. Instead, it has acted as a weapon for those in power to maintain control. Authoritarian regimes openly suppress dissent, using the state to benefit loyalists while targeting opposition groups. Democratic governments, while appearing fair, also use laws, institutions, and police forces to silence critics, favor businesses that fund them, and reward loyal voters with policies that benefit them. Judicial systems and law enforcement often align with ruling elites, selectively enforcing laws to protect the powerful while cracking down on weaker sections of society. This means that the state is not a separate, neutral force but a reflection of who holds power at a given time. Divisions Within Society: Who Does the State Truly Serve?: Since politicians rely on specific voter bases, their governance is rarely impartial. In capitalist economies, the state often serves the wealthy, creating tax policies and trade laws that benefit corporations while neglecting workers and the poor. In religiously or ethnically divided societies, ruling parties often favor the dominant group while suppressing minorities. In ideologically polarized nations, governments promote their preferred ideologies through education, media control, and propaganda. In all cases, the state is not an independent entity that governs fairly—it is an instrument used by those in power to serve their interests while excluding, oppressing, or ignoring others. The Danger of State-Controlled Narratives: To maintain control, ruling elites often manipulate media, education, and public discourse to create the illusion that the state is independent and fair. Government-controlled media portrays the ruling party as a champion of democracy and justice, even when suppressing dissent. Education systems teach history in ways that justify the actions of those in power while ignoring their failures or crimes. Political propaganda convinces people that opposing the state means opposing the nation itself, silencing critics. These tactics ensure that people accept the biased and unequal structure of governance, rather than questioning who truly benefits from the state's policies.

Mazhar

About Mazhar

Mazhar is a seasoned journalist covering global politics.

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PoliticsEconomyUS