Andrew: If, as you suggested, it's in the nature of states (or could we say, on a more general level, "official" power structures?) to oppress, then maybe we know we're on the right track if our own myths stand in opposition to "official" myths, or at least address some of the ways they fail on their own terms? That would mean remaining the perpetual underdog, which probably gets depressing, but it might also be a way to keep ourselves honest. Maybe myths become dangerous when they move from pointing out sources of injustice to justifying injustices of their own (as with Robespierre, or libertarianism)?

-- MichaelHolloway - 12 Feb 2009