The things we own, use, and consume are all produced by processes that require ever more complex automation systems. As processes evolve and centralize, output increases while using less labor. Economies, companies, and individual careers are continually affected by an unending series of “market corrections”.
Governments do not have ups and downs in the same way. For governments, there are far fewer “market corrections”. Most governments are unable to reduce themselves without losing a war or revolution. Governmental “market corrections” can be quick and brutal, as WWI and WWII, during which less powerful governments were destroyed. Reductions in government are sometimes slow and brutal, as the endless chipping away of the Roman and Russian Empires.
While businesses in the freer markets tend to become more efficient, Governments tend to become less efficient, though vastly larger. Some governments fix this by getting rid of unemployed people. Some kill or imprison their undesirables, making both seem acceptable by propagandists for euthanasia and “three strikes and you’re out!” legislation. Others force unemployed people to emigrate to wealthier countries, impoverishing the people in those countries while reducing their own problems. Many governments like to receive immigrants. Immigrants do not tend to criticize, and their votes can be bought far more cheaply.
Those who enjoy the freedom to do things tend toward the freer markets. Those who value security move into government. Once there, they are always in favor of raising taxes on those around them. It is hard for them to love their neighbors.
