Engines of Domination
(2014)
Film Review
In Engines of Domination, filmmaker Justin Jezewski and author Mark Corske lay out a historical and philosophical argument for anarchism – a stateless society people run themselves via direct democracy.
They begin by comparing class society to sheep herding. The latter began around 10,000 BC. Class society began around 5,000 BC when institutions of power (initially kings and priests and later nations and corporations) began domesticating people as well as plants and animals. The goal of this kind of domestication is to capture the energy of an entire community. Initially chattel slavery was the primary mechanism employed to domesticate human beings.
Since no one agrees voluntarily to being treated this way, this has to be done through a combination of force and deception. The methods employed were developed over centuries through a process of trial and error. “Engines of domination” are the historical institutions that make this domination possible and which keep it in place.
Land Confiscation
The process begins with the confiscation of communal land by force (this happened to Europeans via the Enclosure Acts between 1500 and 1850), forcing the inhabitants to work for the ruling elite by depriving them of the ability to feed themselves. In Corske’s view, this denial of life support is a fundamental act of violence.
Maintaining control of confiscated land requires a command structure, i.e. a monarchy or its equivalent, the rule of law and weapons. Without weapons, domination over other human beings is impossible. Finally the ruling elite creates upper and ruling classes and provides them a range of privileges for keeping the working class in line.
Deception and Thought Control
This is the true structure of modern society. However it has to be concealed via deception and thought control. The working class vastly outnumbers the elite, and human beings would never submit to forced labor voluntarily. Prior to 200 years ago, this thought control was disseminated via state religion (it still is in Israel and Muslim countries). In so-called western democracies, it’s disseminated via compulsory public education and the mass media.
Replacing the Engines of Domination with the Engines of Liberation
At present, the very biosphere that supports human life is being destroyed by a ruling elite whose sole focus is to amass more wealth. The only way to halt this ecological destruction, according to Corske , is to abolish political power, central authority and the institutions that support it. The engines of domination must be replaced by engines of liberation. This may seem like an impossible task, but this is because we are all conditioned to accept our captivity, much like domesticated animals who stay in the cage or pasture even when the door or gate is opened.
Corske believes we must employ the same trial and error process to walk back the layers of institutional domination that enslave us. Although the ruling elite is intensively organized, we have both superior numbers and human nature on our side. Contrary to contemporary mythology, human beings are basically freedom loving and incline towards cooperation rather than violence towards our fellow human beings.
Building a mass movement to take advantage of our superior numbers is essential. Corske feels the best way to do this is to organize for specific reforms with the ultimate goal of abolishing central authority.
This short documentary is based on Mark Corske’s book Engines of Domination, published in 2013.
Reblogged this on Piazza della Carina.
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Reblogged this on Amanah Satu – Malaysia and commented:
There Is No Such Thing As A Do-Good State http://peoplestrustmalaysia.wordpress.com/2014/04/28/there-is-no-such-thing-as-a-do-good-state/
Anatomy of the State http://peoplestrustmalaysia.wordpress.com/2014/04/15/anatomy-of-the-state/
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Great links, merahza, especially the one by Lew Rockwell. I continued to be amazed by how many libertarians and anarchists seem to be thinking the same thoughts.
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My heartfelt thanks for your thorough and very accurate review! The film was made by Justin Jezewski, however; I only provided the script and editorial consultation.
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Thanks, Mark. It was a very inspiring film – it’s quite rare for political analysts to propose a scenario on getting from here to there. There seems to be a real hunger for this at the moment. I will make the correction on the filmmaker.
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Fascinating, thought-provoking documentary. Very well done.
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My reaction exactly.
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Reblogged this on Puppet Master's Slave Market and commented:
Predator instinct
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Hello! Could you make the title of this piece simply “Engines of Domination 2014” removing my name please? And change the first sentence to “author Mark Corske and filmmaker Justin Jezewski” Much appreciated! Thank you for the review!
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Sure thing. Changes made. Thanks for making the film – and giving it away.
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Pingback: A Stateless Society? | auntyuta
Very valuable post – thank you Stuart
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A truly exceptional documentary in every way.
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Reblogged this on An Outsider's Sojourn II and commented:
This my dream as well!
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What a pity we’re separated by 12,000 miles. I bet we could really kick ass.
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We can still kick ass, 12,000 miles or not! So let’s keep kicking!
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Unfortunately, the original upload of Engines is no longer available. Will you please update your link to the upload at our EnginesofDomination channel?
Thank you very much!
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Thanks for letting me know, Mark. I’ve updated the link as you requested.
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Hello! We’ve released a new version of the film, “Engines of Domination 2018 Director’s Cut.” It features a revised and re-recorded script, professional actors performing the Socratic dialogue, improved clips, and a much more serious style. I hope you’ll check it out sometime and let us know what you think of it! My book is also now available to read online at our website.
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http://www.enginesofdomination.com
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Thanks for letting me know, Mark. I’ll have to take a look. I’m really looking forward to it.
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Yup, that’s what I been saying all along. Though I wonder yet, if even that is the simple explanation.
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