British philosopher, novelist, theologian and literature professor at the University of Oxford, C.S. Lewis (1898-1963)answers that question in his book, God in the Dock: Essays on Theology and Ethics.
Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It would be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron’s cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience.
Not that either are preferable, but there is something about soft tyranny done under the guise, “for our own good” that is particularly bad. This is what Mark Levin, in his book Liberty and Tyranny: A Conservative Manifesto, ascribes to the Statist. He is hostile to individuality and private property and seeks to soften up citizens so that they are more receptive to it because he passionately believes it is best for society, (pg. 22).
