"We might say that the state is like an addictive drug: the more of it we have, the more we 'need' it and the more we come to 'depend' on it"

This quote by Michael Taylor is a metaphor for the power of the state. It suggests that the state is like an addictive drug, because the more of it we have, the more we become depending on it. This suggests that the state has an effective impact over its people, which it can be tough to break away from its control. The quote likewise suggests that the state can be an unsafe force, as it can result in a sense of reliance and an absence of autonomy. This is an alerting to residents to be knowledgeable about the power of the state and to be mindful of its influence. Eventually, the quote is a suggestion that the state ought to be utilized properly and with caution, as it can have a powerful and possibly unsafe result on its citizens.