Government when limited can help protect the rights of citizens. But what we are subjected to now does not serve the interests of the public. This creature serves only the interest of the few. This has been true throughout human history whether they were kings, emperors, etc. It’s just that now we call them presidents, prime ministers, and ceos. All under the veil of democracy.
No matter where you go the structures are usually the same. Two or more parties that make empty promises and hand out government benefits to keep you distracted from the real issues. A central bank pumping out useless fiat currency to keep underperforming corporations, the stock market, and the government afloat. A tax agency that steals wealth from citizens to fund wasteful government programs while lowering the standard of living. The public school system to indoctrinate the youth to trust and obey an apparatus that sees them as nothing more than livestock to be used and discarded when necessary. Last but not least the enforcement arm, the attack dogs of society keeping the populace in line and initiating violence on foreign peoples.
And none of this is organic. It has little to do with individuals with shared values creating communities. What we see today is the result of a self-serving imperialistic mindset. A group believing themselves to be so great and so wise decides that they should rule and seize whatever resources they can get their hands on. This was true in the past and most modern nations were built upon past empires or had an imperial phase. In the case of the united states the indigenous population was subjugated and relocated to facilitate expansion. Ancient rome revered as a center of culture and civility was built and maintained on theft and murder.
The system we are shackled to gives us few choices outside of nationalistic brainwashing and fearful submission. We need systems created through free association and mutual agreement. Only then will we see the full potential of mankind.