The lowborn peasants do not act in "sovereign capacity." Without direction and commands from their betters, they would exist meaninglessly and purposelessly, marching themselves into early graves. That some command and others obeys is not only necessary, but expedient. It is not reasoned discussion that dominate "free speech," but unlettered, over-emotional ignorance. What has "freedom of press" ever produce for the 'Muricans, but yellow journalism, fear mongering, and ever-increasing stupidity?

Scientific progress has no relation to human well-being. The incredible scientific advancements of Unit 731 did not engender well-being of its test subjects, not the targets of its bio-warfare weapons. The spectacular scientific progress of the Manhattan Project did not promote harmony and goodwill, as two cities were obliterated in the blinding glory of the atom bomb. Von Braun's scientific genius gave birth to the nuclear sword of Democles. The humanist god of science is as impersonal and fickle as the Olympic gods.

Without social control, society devolves into chaos. When epidemics can not be contained and controlled, your "sovereign individuals" will be killing his neighbors, eating their children, and burning his city down to ashes. Without government enforcement, death will spread uncontrolled via the epidemic and human malice. Iron-fisted central authority is a blessing not a curse, during times of crisis. While Hong Kong burns, yet again in meanless riots, the quarantined cities of the CCP have organised food delivery, enforced isolation protocol, and daily cremations of the newly dead.