Are humans dangerous and must they be controlled?

Me: So what did you think of that movie?

Friend: Engh, it wasn't bad I guess.

Well what didn't you like about it?

-I think that the controlled population was better, it seemed to make a  society that was a lot more efficient.

Oh really, so you were okay with brainwashing entire populations? Actually never mind that, you think that we are all just primitive animals that need to be controlled?

-Wait a second, that's not what I said... but now that we're talking about it... Yeah I think humans are irrational.

Bold claim dude, you better have some great evidence for this

-I'll do one better, I'll prove it to you.

I'm all ears

-Well, let's first accept evolution...

How do you mean?

-You know, that we all evolved from common ancestors. So we are basically all monkeys

Dude, you definitely just butchered evolution but continue.

-Whatever, the point is that we all have primitive survival instincts right? When you push people to their limits they'll do anything to survive, superhuman strength, drink their own pee.

Let's say I was following your logic, what's your point if humans have survival instincts?

-No, its more than survival instincts, it's like basic programming. If you take away everything else, then all you have left is the primitive stuff.

Uhm, I'm still failing to see your point. How does this mean that people need to be controlled.

-Hold on, I'm getting to it. Do you accept that people have the primitive part of themselves?

Yeah sure, but let's hurry it up with the logic.

-Well what do those instincts tell you to do? They tell you to be the alpha human, seek out the best mates and obtain the most power in your social groups. They tell you to create the best environment for your children and have control of the resources.

A bit of a stretch, but okay I see your point and those are all good ambitions. You could say that they make up the basis of our society, you can live the perfect american dream if you work for it.

-Yeah you can live the american dream, but the best world you could live in a primitive sense is one without competition. People naturally tend to try and take control of the things they deem necessary.

Okay, now you're really stretching. Just because a guy needs bread doesn't mean he takes over the bread industry.

-But! He would be better off if he did right?

Well yes...

-Then people will naturally tend to take control of whatever they can, think about it. Why are wars fought? For control of resources or people.

Okay so the perfect human controls everything, is that what you're trying to say then?

-No, I am saying that the average human will always try to take power wherever he can. Left to their own devices, people will tend towards conflict as they try an take power over each other.

Well I have to disagree with you, we evolved to be social creatures. You could even say civilization came about as an evolutionary advantage. That makes your whole primitive instinct point moot.

-Does it? Or does it reinforce the fact that our primitive instincts need to be suppressed to make progress. Civilization was probably more likely the result of a said alpha human taking control of a population to serve his interests.

Okay we can back and forth about that all night, we're not going to figure out the origins of civilization. How about you address my original point, the ambition for a good life is what makes our society work.

-I already did, because it is not an ambition for a good life that people seek. That is what they attain by seeking power and independence from others. When people seek power they create conflict, their primitive instincts and thoughts may not show themselves in the day to day action but it is what drives them.

Okay, I'll accept your last point about the sub-conscious motivations but I have another word for conflict. It's called competition and that's what makes our market work.

-Conflict and competition are not the same thing...

But they are! When you say obtain power, in this world it means control over the market. That means developing new marketing strategies, better products, better production methods, and attempting to out-compete your competitors in the marketplace in general.

-So the world revolves around money? Money is just a stepping stone to power. The president of the United States doesn't need to worry about his market because he doesn't have one. That same president can go to war over whatever he wants.

Yeah, but what is he going to go to war over? Historically it has been to protect freedom. Freedom is about choice, and people choose to live in a capitalist society where they can chase their dreams and attain what they want.

-You have just indirectly proved my point. When you let people do what they want, they fight for power. Be it money, be it the hearts of the people, be it the control of resources.

Okay fine, they fight. Whats the big deal? It's natural selection on a huge scale, the better system and the better group of people will survive whereas the inferior will fade into history.

-Yes you are right, the better system will win. The system where the people are controlled will win.

What are you talking about? Have you taken a history class? The dictators, tyrants and monarchs are overthrown, democracy always wins eventually.

-That's because the ruler didn't have complete control over the ruled. Those societies weren't set up right.

You're unbelievable, well how would you set up the perfect society genius?

-First of all, there wouldn't be one ruler. There would be a ruling class would be made up of people that are fit to rule.

Oh? So a whole bunch of dictators bickering among themselves trying to attain power is better than just one?

-Yes, I mean no. They wouldn't be dictators, they would be the best-fit rulers. These are the people that are smarter than their instincts. They are the elite of our society.

Gotcha... Right... So you're just saying that we should become this elitist aristocracy with a privileged ruling class. That's also been tried, and it failed because people are smarter than you are making them out to be.

-No they are not. I mean they are smart, but the average citizen isn't capable of ruling. You have to accept that one.

Fine

-This "aristocracy" wouldn't be about a privileged ruling class. In fact, there would be no classes. I imagine a planned government and economy. You know "to each according to their needs, from each according to their ability". Everyone not equipped to rule would be micromanaged to do what they do best, it would be the most efficient society on the planet!

Okay buddy, did you see what happened to the U.S.S.R. and how China is trending towards freer economies and markets?

-True, but they had their downsides. We won't go into those right now. Try to think past those, imagine a perfect society where every single person did what they best at.

Okay, fine. Let's play it your way. These people are the same ones grasping at power right? What's holding this society together? Wouldn't this society rip itself apart?

-No, because these people are being controlled. My point wasn't that people trend to that society, my point is that this perfect society is only attainable by suppressing peoples desires. You need a docile population to create this efficient society.

So perfection is absolute control?