[JumpCrisscross]

> unsupported by any evidence in the history of states so far recorded

Only if you ignore half the evidence. Runaway authoritarianism is as common a failure mode as states which strait jacket themselves into irrelevance.

[Brian_K_White]

I don't see it. All states, in fact all structures of organization or governance, from states to companies to bowling leagues, seek to surveil and control as much as they can get away with. Even rinkydink little local groups, if you give them some phone app that let's them know things they had no business knowing yesterday, will happily use it.

They don't always get away with everything they want on the first try, but they always want and they always try and the acceptable standard norm always progresses only in one direction. Wins in the other direction are local wins against, not examples of some state actually deciding they don't want.