Systems of Survival: A Book Review

Systems of Survival: A Book Review
1.
"heirarchical law...always prevails...wen government pulls its superior rank vis-a-vis all the rest of society" (Jacobs, 1992, p.67).
In the discussion of the hierarchical law, Kate gave an example of policemen are expected to perform their function as directed to them by their superiors regardless of whether it coincides or contradicts their own beliefs. Such discussion clarified to me why Edward Snowden was charged with espionage when in fact he was only trying to safeguard the right to privacy of every American citizen. Through the heirarchical law, the government as a guardian institution shows us that it has every right to spy on its own citizens in its quest to secure its territory. It also explained why policemen who shoot someone are not charged with homicide when they do so in the line of duty. In a sense, the government is given special permission to do whatever it think necessary in order for it to do its job.
"Deceive for the sake of the task" (Jacobs, 1992, p. 75).
This moral precept of the guardian syndrome does not sit well with me mainly because the victim of deception is typically the very people the guardians are supposed to serve. It essentially communicates the idea that human rights and right to privacy are all subsumed under home security. But what is home security for? Wasn't it for the people themselves to sleep well at night knowing their rights cannot be violated? It is a contradiction. The government's mandate come from the people - guardians cannot decide on what is right or wrong without consulting with the general public.
2.
"...as the military and the arms industry gained power, they would be a threat to democracy, with civilizan losing control of the military-industrial complex" (NPR Staff, 2011).
More than 50 years after President Dwight Eisenhower warned against the military-industrial complex, his warning have now come true. Every day in the news we hear of new wars where our country is involving itself - ISIS, Chinese bullyin...