Authority doesn't always wear a uniform. For example, I'd expect you to have authority over your young off-spring, without that authority triggering any form of sadistic monsterousness. Taking charge over others can be rooted in a genuine wish, and ability, to care for and look for out the best interests of others.
It's when people try to dictate rules, while masquerading behind a pretence that they know better than you, when really it's just manipulation for some ulterior motive, or an attempt to exert power to flex their own egos that it hacks me off.
I don't know if I've always been anti-authoritarian or not. I think I'm more anti-jackass. I wouldn't necessarily refuse to co-operate just on principal. Refused to call the teachers 'Sir', because none of them had a knighthood, and would only be respectful to people who reciprocated, regardless of their station. Hence half the teaching staff would give me excellent reports re my attitude & behaviour & the other half (the ones who talked down to everyone & were up themselves) would report that I was insolent & a bit of a savage.
Some rules are sensible - but I don't want people telling me I have to do particular things certain ways just for the hell of it, or if it's none of their business, or because they reap some benefit from it at your expense. Like the government telling me whether or not I can smoke in my car for example. That kind of thing makes me feel very angry & rebellious. They can fuck right off.
This dosing kids up to the eye-balls because they don't conform comfortably with what's required in the class-room is nothing short of criminal, imo. And as I've commented before, any real over-the-top behavioural problems with kids could very often be caused by reactions to a lot of food additives anyway.
