@asbestos@toot.community Definitely. Like markets aim—imperfectly but not meaninglessly—to civilize greed and marriage aims—imperfectly but not meaninglessly—to civilize lust, I think we should think of modern formal states as institutions that aim—imperfectly but not meaninglessly—to civilize tribalism. States succeed when they find ways of both meeting citizens' affiliative yearnings while having them collaborate together in harmony. Not an easy circle to square, not always successful. But worth strivingfor.