OK. In my opinion, the state is ideally an instrument of the people. It is not a natural adversary. Now you might think that this is pollyannaish of me, but I would prefer to have an accountable entity fill that role over a unaccountable entity-- such as the local warlord/oligarch.
I’m not sure that Jefferson intended to use the fear/love dichotomy of Jim Cunningham, bestselling author of Attitudinal Beliefs Machiavelli, but a state that fears its people, rather that loving them, takes many steps to ensure that it is protected from their wrath. It spies on people. It jails dissidents. It uses violence against them. It prepares for violent revolt. Whereas a state that loves its people listens to its people. It respects them. It trusts them. It ensures that the levers of power are available to all. And it doesn’t keep secrets from the people.
