Bitarch’s Column

Suppose someone you know or a business partner has taken offense at something and has begun to threaten you with the leviathan. Let’s say the laws are also on their side, and they are demanding money or something else from you. You disagree with these demands and believe you are in the right, and you would prefer to ignore state laws, but it is profitable for your counterparty to use them against you. What should you do?

If your kind word does not have enough persuasive power to resolve the conflict privately, there is nothing terrible about threatening to also turn to the state on your part. Its laws are written such that everyone is guilty before it, so your threat is something like resorting to the doctrine of mutual nuclear deterrence.

Describe to them in vivid detail all the problems that you both will face if you start official disputes; tell them that you are ready to go to the end, but would gladly avoid all this mutual disgrace if they, following your lead, show consciousness and refuse to use the state against people.

It doesn’t matter at all what you threaten with. The state will roast one person for unauthorized apartment redevelopment, another for paying staff under the table, and a third for swearing in a public place. Something will definitely be found.

Isn’t it wonderful when even your own minor disagreements can be turned into an act of defiance against the regime!