Your Enemy: The Ruling Class

Table of Contents

• Understanding and Combating the Ruling Class: A Guide for Individualists
• Who Are the Ruling Classes and How Do They Control Society?
  • The Power of the Ruling Class: Government Monopoly on Force
  • Ruling Class vs. Elites: What’s the Difference?
• How to Resist Government Control and Combat the Ruling Class
  • Understand the Government Doesn’t Care About You
  • Rebel Strategically: Individualist Solutions for Freedom
  • Building a Community and Personal Freedom Against the Ruling Class
• Actionables: Focus on Self-Reliance
  • Reading List

Understanding and Combating the Ruling Class: A Guide for Individualists

Society lied to me. Teachers, parents, entertainment, and the media told me the ruling classes had my best interest at heart. Sure, politicians were constantly caught lying, stealing, and abusing, but I must forgive such common transgressions because politicians pursue the “common good.” Any desire I had to be free of the ruling classes was deemed “selfish,” and the state would violently punish me.

The government is a necessary evil, and I have to tolerate it.

Luckily, Ayn Rand and Stefan Molyneaux opened my eyes to the state’s brutality. I realized the ruling classes were corrupt, vile, and rarely beneficial.

The ruling classes are the politicians, judges, officers, and other government bureaucrats who oversee the state. They all use the state’s violence to enforce certain behaviors among the populace.

Have you ever questioned why the very institutions claiming to protect you often feel more like your oppressors? Why the system is rigged in favor of those at the top while the rest of us are left to obey?

Today, I want to conclude the series about your enemies by discussing the ruling classes. I wish To equip individualists with tools to understand and combat this powerful and persistent enemy. I aim to do the following:

1. Clearly define who the ruling classes are and what techniques they use.
2. Next, I discuss who suffers under the ruling classes and how dangerous they are.
3. Lastly, I explore the solutions you can use to undermine the ruling classes’ influence over you.

Who Are the Ruling Classes and How Do They Control Society?

“The State is that organization in society which attempts to maintain a monopoly of the use of force and violence in a given territorial area; in particular, it is the only organization in society that obtains its revenue not by voluntary contribution or payment for services rendered but by coercion.” – Murray Rothbard

The ruling classes are the strongest and most ruthless enemies. They are not distracted and idiotic like the mob or rely on honeyed words like the elites. The ruling classes tell you what to do, and you follow, or they will enact violence on you.

The ruling classes exist because society needs direction. While voluntary forces can provide this, humans naturally struggle with conflict. We seek a final arbiter of right and wrong.

Furthermore, the average person does not seek freedom but enslavement. The mob is too pathetic to provide for itself, and there is profit in exploiting people, not paying them. Only the ruling classes, with their money printing, taxation, and monopoly on force, can benefit from creating a permanent and dependent underclass.

The Power of the Ruling Class: Government Monopoly on Force

The ruling classes use violence and coercion to force compliance. They are not a peaceful people.

There are many examples of the government’s power:

• You must pay your taxes; they will hurt you if you refuse. This monopoly on force gives the ruling classes the most significant power in any given society. No organization can violently force you to pay for a service, especially one you never agreed to.
• Because the ruling class dominates money, they can force you to fund irrelevant or inefficient projects and programs. The ability to make you pay for what you don’t want in a rigged market is exclusive to the ruling classes.
• The draft showed the government’s ability to force young men into mostly pointless wars for the egos of the ruling classes. No other organization has ever had this power in any society.
• The state passes laws that everyone follows. No other entity can create laws and force you to adhere to certain behaviors.

The government is rarely benevolent. While there can be virtuous members of the ruling classes, similar to the elites, the violent, power-hungry nature of the state ensures that most people within it become complacent or abusive. Power corrupts and enables genuinely evil people to do whatever they want to a populace that cannot say “no.”

Ruling Class vs. Elites: What’s the Difference?

The ruling classes are not the elite, and the elites are not as powerful as the ruling classes.

The elites have power and can influence the ruling classes. However, they must beg the ruling classes for favors, never the other way around. For example, a large corporation may lobby the government for favorable laws or regulations, but the government never begs corporations for tax cuts or zoning exceptions.

Yes, Jeff Bezos is a billionaire, but he can’t print money, launch wars, have a standing army, or kill with impunity. Whenever Jeff Bezos wants favorable laws, he goes to the state. The government doesn’t come to him for permission to operate and exist; he goes to them. The government creates the rules under which Jeff Bezos has to do business. And yes, Jeff Bezos can manipulate, lobby, and bribe to get favorable outcomes. However, his having to lobby the government proves he lacks power.

How to Resist Government Control and Combat the Ruling Class

Overall, the ruling classes have a chilling effect on society. They enforce certain behaviors and standards, which creates the dysfunction we all suffer under. The mob votes for specific people and policies to avoid personal responsibility, while the elites lobby for certain laws and regulations that benefit them.

This imbalance places the ruling classes at the center of attention, granting them more influence and power. This reality makes the government your most formidable enemy. However, you can overcome them and mitigate their influence over your life.

Now that we’ve established the power and danger of the ruling class, let’s explore how their grip on society affects us all—and, most importantly, what can be done to resist.

Understand the Government Doesn’t Care About You

The ruling classes will never use their power to positively influence your life. They will exploit you and lie about the abuse.

For example, many politicians champion free healthcare but will never pass laws to punish obesity and other preventable health issues. How many support laws to prevent corporations from using unhealthy chemicals in food? The government does not gain power by forcing individuals to become more responsible and competent. They gain power by working with corporations and rewarding weak individuals.

Furthermore, believing the government will provide (e.g., Social Security) can lead to complacency and unpreparedness, ultimately destroying your future. The government is not planning for your present or future. These people do not care about you, only about power and their place in the bureaucracy.

I understand that breaking the indoctrination will be difficult, but you must accept the ruling classes see you as a number.

Focus on philosophy. Have a value system that transcends politics. Build wealth, expand your community, and plan your future in ways that do not require government influence. These people don’t care about you, and accepting this reality frees you from emotional and mental investment into a broken, dying system.

Rebel Strategically: Individualist Solutions for Freedom

“The more the state ‘plans,’ the more difficult planning becomes for the individual.” – F.A. Hayek

When you rebel against the state, you must be heedful. The government is fickle and will destroy you if you give it a reason to do so. Therefore, when you push back, be intelligent and cautious:

• Reduce Obligations and Interactions: The ruling classes excel in creating monopolies (which the government claims to combat) in various industries and places. Your best bet is to avoid relying on these resources, as such reliance weakens you. You don’t have to be religious about it. If you get a tax refund, take the money. You want to avoid relying on the government for things you can provide yourself, as government programs are corrosive, overbearing, inefficient, and corrupted. Social security is an excellent example as it will run out in the future, so you should save money.
• Reduce your taxes: You must pay taxes, but there are ways to legally and safely reduce your burden. Begin by consulting a financial advisor. Look into tax-saving strategies such as maximizing deductions, contributing to retirement accounts, or exploring tax credits available to you.
• Build a community: Establishing a support system within your community can provide the safety and security the government fails to offer. For example, your neighbors can keep you safer than the police can. Furthermore, friends can offer services that help circumvent the need to rely on the ruling classes, such as an accountant helping you pay fewer taxes.
• Focus on Personal Philosophy Over Politics: Politics is a distraction; instead, invest your time in personal development and self-reliance—vote where you can and support the candidates who will cause the fewest problems. But never obsess over politics. The ruling classes don’t care about you, and they lie. Don’t argue with weak individuals or drive yourself mad trying to understand the state. It’s all theatre while they steal from everyone else.

Building a Community and Personal Freedom Against the Ruling Class

“If the state disappeared, voluntary cooperation would replace coercion.” – Llewellyn H. Rockwell Jr.

The ruling classes are the most challenging enemy to fight because they use their monopoly on force to get you in line.

The government’s laws and bullying create so many social issues. They drive inflation, which makes us poorer. They set up unsustainable programs and systems that ruin the good people‘s lives. They take and take and take but offer nothing but shoddy programs.

Reclaiming your autonomy requires active steps, not passive consumption. Start small: educate yourself, disengage from unnecessary government programs, and build your network of like-minded individuals. True freedom begins with action, and the time to act is now.

The ruling classes are your last enemies. Once you are free from your enemies, you can live a much cleaner, prosperous life.

Actionables: Focus on Self-Reliance

You will never be truly free of the ruling classes. However, the more proactive you are, the freer you can be.

1. Your current mindset – What do you think about the government now? How did you view the state before reading this post? Do you still think the way you did?
2. What did others teach you? What were your lessons growing up? How was the state presented to you? Why do you think you were given the version of the government that you were given when you were younger?
3. Knowledge and action – What do you plan to do now that you maturely understand the state? How will you approach the state? How will you talk about the state with others? How can you strengthen yourself and improve your life so you are not as dependent on the government and its failings?
4. Community Involvement: Volunteer for local community organizations or initiatives to understand the role of grassroots movements in societal change. Attend town hall meetings or local government sessions to observe how local governance operates firsthand. If you have the time, courage, and ability, consider running for office yourself.
5. Self-Reliance Practices: Develop skills in budgeting, basic home repairs, or first aid to reduce dependency on external services. Start a personal project, such as a garden or a blog, to foster independence and self-expression.
6. Educate Yourself on Personal Finance: Learn how to manage your money independently to avoid reliance on government programs. Explore budgeting, saving, investing, and reducing debt as key strategies for financial autonomy.
7. Diversify Your Income Streams: Build multiple sources of income to reduce dependence on a single employer or government benefits. Side businesses, freelancing, and investing can provide additional financial security. Web design, especially with the advent of AI, is a more accessible skill I’ve learned over the years.
8. Strengthen Your Digital Privacy: Use encryption tools, VPNs, and secure messaging apps to protect your personal information from government surveillance and maintain your privacy.
9. Learn Self-Sufficiency Skills: Develop skills like gardening, DIY home repairs, or off-grid living techniques to reduce dependence on government-provided services.
10. Support Decentralized Technologies: Explore blockchain, cryptocurrencies, and decentralized platforms that allow peer-to-peer transactions without state interference. I’m not familiar with these technologies, but understanding them might give you an edge.
11. Limit Your Tax Exposure Legally: Hire a tax professional to explore legal avenues for reducing taxes, such as charitable donations, investments, or business deductions.
12. Practice Civil Disobedience When Appropriate: Resist laws or regulations that infringe on personal freedom in nonviolent and strategic ways. This can be done through protests, petitions, or non-compliance with minor regulations. I’ve broken a few minor laws, so it can be done without major issues. Just be smart about your choices, and don’t rebel for rebelling. The government is fickle and will destroy your life for no reason.
13. Build Local Economic Networks: Create or participate in local barter systems or community cooperatives to reduce reliance on government-regulated financial systems.
14. Reduce Consumption of Government-Controlled Resources: Limit your dependence on government-controlled utilities, services, and infrastructure. For example, explore solar energy, rainwater harvesting, or independent schooling options. My wife and I homeschool our children. I’m comforted that my kids won’t be raised in public schools to hate what is virtuous.
15. Stay Informed on Government Actions: Regularly follow legislation, policies, and government actions that could impact your freedom. Knowledge is the first step toward effective resistance. Follow the government as much as you can stomach. I don’t know much of what’s going on as I can’t stand the brokenness.
16. Develop a Health and Fitness Routine: Take responsibility for your health by exercising regularly and eating well. Reducing your dependence on government healthcare systems keeps you more self-reliant. You should still go for regular checkups, but the better your health, the less power the government has over you.
17. Establish Emergency Preparedness Plans: Prepare for crises (natural disasters, economic downturns, etc.) by creating emergency food supplies, learning first aid, and developing a self-defense plan.
18. Foster Independent Media Consumption: Reduce your reliance on mainstream media by seeking alternative, independent news sources less influenced by government narrative. Ground News is a great resource for this.
19. Teach Individualism to Others: Share your knowledge of self-reliance and personal responsibility with your family, friends, and community to build a culture of resistance and freedom. Always do your best to vet people by gauging their interests. You never want to come across as a “prepper,” and some people will betray you if you reveal too much. An example is a family member who rats you out because you weren’t following COVID lockdown rules in 20020.

Reading List

• “The Road to Serfdom” by Friedrich A. Hayek: This classic book argues that government control of economic decision-making leads to tyranny and the loss of individual freedom. Hayek critiques socialism and central planning and advocates for free-market capitalism.
• “Anatomy of the State” by Murray Rothbard: Rothbard explores the nature of the state and its role in society, describing it as a predatory entity that does not produce but takes from those who produce. The book is a foundational text for libertarians and anarcho-capitalists.
• “For a New Liberty: The Libertarian Manifesto” by Murray Rothbard: This book is a comprehensive introduction to the libertarian philosophy, advocating for a stateless society where free-market principles govern all aspects of life.
• “The Most Dangerous Superstition” by Larken Rose: Rose argues that the belief in authority, especially government authority, is a dangerous superstition that underpins all forms of oppression. He advocates for a stateless society and challenges readers to rethink government morality.
• “No Treason: The Constitution of No Authority” by Lysander Spooner: Spooner, a 19th-century anarchist, critiques the legitimacy of the U.S. Constitution and the concept of government authority. He argues that the Constitution is not a binding contract on those who did not consent to it.
• “The Ethics of Liberty” by Murray Rothbard: This book provides a detailed philosophical foundation for libertarianism and anarcho-capitalism. Rothbard develops a natural law theory of individual rights and applies it to various social and economic issues, advocating for a society without a state.
• “Against the State: An Anarcho-Capitalist Manifesto” by Llewellyn H. Rockwell Jr.: Rockwell discusses the inefficiency and immorality of government intervention in all aspects of life. He argues for dismantling the state in favor of a voluntary, market-based society.
• “The State: Its History and Development Viewed Sociologically” by Franz Oppenheimer: Oppenheimer distinguishes between the “economic means” (voluntary exchange) and the “political means” (the state’s use of force) of acquiring wealth. He views the state as a predatory entity and advocates for its abolition.
• “Seeing Like a State: How Certain Schemes to Improve the Human Condition Have Failed” by James C. Scott: Scott critiques state-led social engineering projects, arguing that centralized planning often fails because it ignores local knowledge and the complex reality of social life.
• “Freedom from Government: How to Reclaim Your Power” by Trent Goodbaudy: This book explores the idea of individual sovereignty and how to legally and peacefully disengage from government control. It discusses tactics for reducing one’s interaction with and dependency on the state.

Please remember it’s important to do the actionables. You’re not on this earth to simply read but to do. To become an individual, you must act more than you consume.

Refer to the linked articles and studies throughout this post for detailed evidence and case studies supporting these views.

*Image credit to Unsplash.