Difference between revisions of "Power"

Revision as of 13:47, 14 May 2025

Full Title and Meme

Power has been the source of control over one's environment since the origin of life on Earth.

Context

Benjamin Constant^[1] argued for the need to limit sovereignty. Unbounded power, whether exercised in the name of a people, a king, or an assembly, is a very perilous thing. This is because when sovereignty is unlimited "there is no means of sheltering individuals from governments."

Problems

Power comes from the plenitude of whatever it is the causes action beit:

• More People
• More Particles
• More Energy

But if any of these is not ordered, the power is not useful. What is useful is directed power. When the mob is in control, order is lost and the power of the masses is not put to useful results. This is the typical result of unfettered democracy. The leaders that control the mob can get useful work out of this and become the recognized leaders. If the leaders get together in a class, it attempt to magnify its value and institutionalize it. The Greater Vehicle in Sanskrit or Mahāyāna represents a broad tradition within Buddhism that emphasizes the Bodhisattva path (striving for enlightenment) not just for oneself, but for the benefit of all beings. The Hinayana (the lesser vehicle) focuses only on the individual. While a great leader will focus on the greater good, the one who inherits that agglomeration of mob power may focus on the lesser good.^[2]

Democracy

Walter Lippmann's The Phantom Public (1925) is a critical examination of democracy and the role of the public in governance. Lippmann argues that the general public is largely uninformed and incapable of meaningful political decision-making, suggesting that governance should be left to experts rather than relying on mass participation. He contrasts the idealized notion of an engaged and competent public with what he sees as the reality—an uninformed and passive majority that reacts to events rather than shaping them.^[3]

While many democracies have experienced leaders with authoritarian tendencies, some have maintained strong democratic traditions without electing outright autocrats. Countries like Canada, New Zealand, Denmark and Sweden have historically upheld democratic norms and avoided leaders who dismantle democratic institutions. However, democratic backsliding is a global concern, and even stable democracies must remain vigilant against authoritarian influences.

Stable democracies thrive due to several key factors:

• Strong Institutions: Independent judiciary, free press, and effective checks and balances prevent power concentration.
• Political Culture: Societies with high levels of trust, tolerance, and civic engagement foster democratic resilience.
• Economic Stability: A strong economy reduces social unrest and strengthens democratic governance.
• Rule of Law: Consistent legal frameworks ensure fairness and accountability.
• Social Mobility: Opportunities for upward mobility reduce inequality and political dissatisfaction.

References

1. ↑ Benjamin Constant, The Principles of Politics Applicable to All Governments 1815 https://oll.libertyfund.org/titles/constant-principles-of-politics-applicable-to-all-governments
2. ↑ Jose Ortega y Gasset The Revolt of the Masses https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Revolt_of_the_Masses/GZQ2EAAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&printsec=frontcover
3. ↑ Walter Lippmann, The Phantom Public (1925)