Something I've been philosophizing over, is a "free society". Is this a oxymoron? At the far end of the spectrum there is the ultra tech society of the Edenist (See Peter F Hamilton's Night's dawn trilogy ) A form of society with a built in mechanism that allows near instantaneous consensus. The act of consensus allows for the society to stay civil. No need for governance or politicians (say for a few representatives to sit in the confederation congress) the only two factions are Edenist and Serpents and all serpents get expelled (or choose to leave) making consensus possible.
Not much of a varying mindset between one Edenist and the other all very different in appearance but they tend to share the same views because of there cultural upbringing which is almost installed like software into there brains. In there society there is no poverty or inequities. How could there be? They have a monopoly on fusion material mined from gas giants which all FTL (Faster Then Light) spaceships need to function and they run the biggest and safest bank in the confederation. They have some form of semi technological after life so no need for faith in a god they never met.
If you look at all of what Ive just written you'll probably say "man those Crazy cats are living the dream", and free as well". But really the only thing that I value in what they have is the freedom to leave.
Society in general is a surrender of certain rights for protection and safety in the group. Maybe we would be better if we were like the Edenist. But it's more or less better just having the option to leave if you can't change it. A lot of people will say "drop off the grid", "move to Switzerland", "Find a Island and make it your home" ect. Only the last one on the list I can see being a viable solution but it's out of most peoples grasp. Even if you were to find a island there would probably be a missionary on your beach in the next decade or so trying to convert you to the ways of the world at large like you weren't just there moments ago.
Anarchy is impossible in most societies which is favored by some, without causing them to be less civil. Maybe that's a naive statement on my part. But that's how I see it. Society is a binding of the wills in exchange for safety in numbers. The herd animal's mindset. Harsh words maybe from a black Sheep but it's how I see things and by all means you are free to disagree.