The Politics Of Change

(Photo by Azra Tuba Demir)

Figure 17.   Nowhere

Politics is the art or science of government concerned with guiding or influencing governmental policy by winning; thus, holding control over a government [5]. Recorded history indicates humanity has been ruled for centuries by a few based on heredity, military conquest, or a relatively small group of appointed or elected representatives.

Democracy is a spiritual concept—the embodiment of free will. Implementation is more difficult as we’ve experienced in governmental structures. However, the effect on human behaviour under governmental control has never been analysed.

What’s missing is the recognition that violence is used to conquer and control a populace rather than understanding human relationships in order to resolve societal strife; thus, governing appears to be all about land—not people or nature. Here they’re treated as an afterthought until rebellion arises—the unintended consequences of force.

Humans are communal by nature. This makes humans vulnerable to what others think, say, and do. The power of suggestion has been used to override individual determination through conformity.

Politics can steer governmental policy to address the nuances of coercion; therefore, political science needs to recognise that humans have the innate ability to control themselves.

(Photo by Aymane Hanni)

Figure 18.   Multifaceted

Cultural Government

A government based on culture honours the organic flow of human change. It’s not competitive in the need to acquire more before death. It uses realistic time tables to be efficient in its administration. It celebrates life by not revelling in the violence of control. It respects and protects anthropological origins. Compassion towards its citizens is realised in the kind, yet firm, parameters of civilised behaviour.

[5] H. B. Woolf, et al., eds., Websters New Collegiate Dictionary, (Springfield, MA: G. & C. Merriam Company, 1979), s.v. “politics.”