Rebel Without a Blueprint: Why Just Hating the System Won’t Fix Anything

When we think about libertarianism or classical liberalism, most folks picture it as simply being anti-government, or anti-authority. And yeah, that’s part of it. Historically, liberalism was born out of opposition to things like absolutism and mercantilism, where rulers controlled markets and people’s lives. Over time, that opposition extended to socialism, protectionism, and imperialism—basically, all the things that bred poverty, inequality, and misery.

But here’s the thing: just being “against” something isn’t enough. Sure, we’ve spent centuries fighting these evils, but you can’t build a future by only tearing things down. What’s often missed is that true liberalism also stands for something—it’s built on the foundations of private property, local control, and strong families. These are the pillars that support a free society. But if you look around today, those institutions are crumbling.

The decay we see in family ties, communities, and even religious institutions didn’t just happen overnight. It’s the result of a long and deliberate campaign by the state to weaken or even destroy anything that could rival its power. You see, the state doesn’t like competition.

Think about it—when people no longer turn to family, churches, or local communities for help, where do they go? The government. That’s exactly what the state wants. If your only source of support, your only safety net, is a government agency, you’re far easier to control. The state’s goal has always been to replace traditional institutions, making itself the center of people’s lives.

Here’s Why That Matters:

If we want to weaken the state’s grip, we need to rebuild those institutions. It’s not enough to just say “no” to government control. We’ve got to roll up our sleeves and strengthen the structures—whether that’s churches, local charities, or families—that can stand up to the state and offer real alternatives. Without these, we can talk about freedom all day long, but living freely becomes nearly impossible.

In the past, societies functioned just fine without the heavy hand of the state in every aspect of life. People built networks of support through family, religion, and local organizations. In medieval Europe, for example, the Church and guilds provided economic and social safety nets. These weren’t about handouts from the king—they were about self-reliance and community. That’s what we need to bring back today.

What’s happened over time is that the state chipped away at these independent structures. In France during the 1500s, the legalists working for the king systematically stripped away the rights of corporations and families, eliminating any power that wasn’t directly tied to the throne. The message was clear: You don’t get to act independently of the state. And that trend hasn’t stopped—it’s only gotten worse.

The Rise of Dependence on the State

Take the welfare state. Bismarck in Germany pioneered this model in the 1800s, not because he was some kind-hearted ruler looking out for the common man, but because he knew that making people financially dependent on the government was the surest way to control them. The more the state provides, the more people become beholden to it. It’s as simple as that.

Public education is another perfect example. Schools were originally set up to teach kids not just math and science but loyalty to the state. When public schooling became widespread, private schools—especially religious ones—were pushed to the margins. This wasn’t by accident. The state knew that private education created pockets of resistance to its ideology. And in the 1920s, some states even tried to ban private schools altogether. They almost succeeded.

Now let’s talk about the family. The state’s war against the family has been its most effective campaign yet. And it’s easy to see. Fertility rates have plummeted. Fewer people are getting married. Divorce is at an all-time high. The family unit, which used to be the bedrock of society, has been shattered. And without strong families, who stands up to the state? Nobody.

In the past, families weren’t just emotional support systems—they were economic units. They ran businesses, farms, and provided for each other. Now, with families weakened, people have nowhere to turn but the government. Social security, welfare, public education, healthcare—all these programs have replaced the family’s role. And that’s just how the state wants it.

So, What Can We Do?

If we want to build a society that doesn’t rely on the state for everything, we’ve got to start by rebuilding the institutions the state has worked so hard to destroy. Support your local parish. Strengthen your family. Create and join mutual aid societies. Build businesses that support your community, not just some distant shareholders. This is how we start pushing back.

You don’t have to do this alone. It starts with taking practical steps to protect yourself and your wealth from the very systems trying to control you. And I’ve got a resource that can help with that: Seven Steps to Protect Yourself from Bank Failure. When the system collapses, and trust me, it’s more fragile than they want you to believe, you’ll want to be prepared. Grab the guide here: Seven Steps to Protect Yourself from Bank Failure.

Building Real Resistance

The thing is, it’s not enough to just complain about the government. We need to create and support the alternatives that can sustain a free society. Families, churches, and local institutions are the answer. The state has spent centuries trying to break these down, but we can rebuild them.

Look back through history, and you’ll see how decentralized power worked to protect people from the overreach of the state. In medieval Europe, cities, guilds, and churches all acted as checks on the power of princes and kings. People didn’t rely on a centralized government for everything because they didn’t have to. There were other options—strong communities, families, and local economies that provided what people needed.

But that’s all changed. The modern state has waged a long war against these non-state institutions, weakening them bit by bit. And now, instead of relying on family or local networks for support, most people’s deepest relationships are with the state—whether that’s through taxes, public schooling, or government welfare programs.

We need to reverse that. If we are to meaningfully oppose state power, it’s necessary to encourage, grow, and sustain institutions and organizations over which the state cannot so easily roll its enormous weight. When people support a local parish, raise a family, build a business, create mutual aid organizations, or foster local civic independence, they are doing work that is absolutely critical to fighting state power.

While it’s always good to speak ill of state power—and to oppose its countless violent and impoverishing grifts—that’s not enough. We must also speak well of non-state institutions and strengthen them in our daily work and lives.

The Bottom Line

If we want a free and prosperous society, we need to stop depending on the state to provide everything for us. The state has spent centuries making us reliant on it for our basic needs, but the truth is, we can build something better—strong families, local communities, and independent institutions that don’t answer to a centralized authority.

Start today. Take action to secure your financial future, protect your family, and rebuild the institutions that will allow us to thrive without the state’s interference. A great way to begin is by preparing for the inevitable failures of the current system. Download Seven Steps to Protect Yourself from Bank Failure now and take your first step toward real independence: Seven Steps to Protect Yourself from Bank Failure.

Remember, it’s not enough to just hate the state—we’ve got to build the alternative. Let’s get to work!