This is one of my favorite passages of all time. Not just in its simplicity but also with its philosophical depth. I don’t remember when it was (as you do) that I realized that “society” is not a synonym for government in any way, but once I was able to visualize it I couldn’t and didn’t want to go back.
I think the confusion between government and society has been an important ingredient to all of the biggest government atrocities not just within the relative grasp of our time, (I know this last part isn’t possible) but I would not be surprised if we had a time machine and could go back and ask the world’s biggest tyrants - Khan - Pharoah - Caesar - King George III; they would all agree. Government is society. I bet they would all agree.
Yes, they would all agree - for the simple reason that the difference between “society” and “government” is freedom. No difference between society and government? No freedom.