Government shutdowns are a relatively recent phenomena (Late 1970's'. Though some argue that the very first shutdown was in 1879, when Democrats refused to fund the government unless protections for black voters were eliminated).
Why would the government allow the government to shut down? It is the political tool. An appeal to the public to apply pressure to their various constituents. The idea is, create sufficient discomfort for John Q. Public, and convince him that the other guy is to blame, thereby encouraging John to start making calls and threatening to vote 'the other guy', if a capitulation isn't forthcoming.
It is simply one more tool to attempt to control/manipulate the vote of the masses.
There is a rather notable point regarding large-scale socialism in this.
First, you might recall once upon a time, the federal government forced states to adopt a federally set drinking age and federally set speed limits, but threatening to withhold federal funds for road construction and maintenance. Some states were quote offended by this, but ultimately they toed the line. They needed that federal funding, after all.
And this shows another flaw in socialism. The more dependent the states, cities, and individuals are on goods and services doled out by the federal government, the more tempting it will be for a handful of polarizing individuals to wreak havoc on the masses in an effort to keep them in line. Individuals gradually lose the freedom to vote according to the dictates of their conscience, and must increasingly remain in lock-step with the... ruling elite.
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