~58th Dance~

[donttelldaddy]

What is power, exactly? We tend to think of it as something that bad people seize, but really, it's just given to us by others. Given to us by those who elect us, or those who willfully obey us because we just happen to be older, or our weaker-minded peers that allow themselves to be coerced or conquered. It's the same everywhere for everyone. Those with power have had it given to them.

And yet, it seems that every day, those in power grow less and less competent, does it not? Ineptitude is rampant on every level, from political leaders, to the teachers in our schools. Why don't people contest that more often? Because they're in charge, and we fear retribution? Well, here's a secret: they're only in charge because we believe that they are in charge. If you don't allow anyone to tell you what to do, they're not telling you what to do anymore, they're merely making a suggestion. Reassigning power isn't a difficult thing, really.

Just food for thought~

Comments

[bitterpresent.livejournal.com]

The point of power isn't conquering or controlling people. It's a system of Mutualism between the leader and his people. People elect someone the task of leadership so that person can help them and, in turn, they'll help him. Leaders lead, followers follow; ideally, this could work out if both parties contribute their fair share of effort.

But this isn't an ideal world. A lot could go wrong in this sort of system, especially because it's been going on for centuries, even millenia. Ineptitude's one fault on their side, as is corruption and greed, and rebellion's one on ours. But that's because people live with the thought of "leaders are scary and we should obey them" ingrained into their heads rather than "they're here to help us", so when we open our eyes to this shocking revelation, we feel the need to rebel because it's so new to us. It's kind of like how most rebellions occur during a person's teenage years.

Reassigning power isn't a difficult thing, yes, but what's the point of ruining something that isn't broken? If the way things are have been running smoothly for years, then why change it?

[ooc: oh god what was that even. did anything i type make sense.]

[donttelldaddy.livejournal.com]

The point gets lost more often than not, I would say. And I don't think there's anything wrong with rebellion. Is it not the natural cycle of things?

Whether or not things are running smoothly is very subjective. A dictator would consider his reign to be perfectly smooth, but the peasantry might beg to differ.

[bitterpresent.livejournal.com]

True, it's natural, but that doesn't mean it should be encouraged. That would be like saying to ignore storm forecasts because that kind of weather is natural.

Again, that's true but that's what reassigning power is for. If the leader is incompetent, then his followers have the ability to assign a better one.

[donttelldaddy.livejournal.com]

I'm not necessarily encouraging anyone. I'm just reminding everyone that it's possible.

Perhaps someone else would like to be the leader.

[bitterpresent.livejournal.com]

Why? You don't think they already know that?

Well, perhaps that someone can talk to the leader and work something out.

[donttelldaddy.livejournal.com]

The revelation sometimes takes people by surprise.

That's ridiculous, nobody voluntarily gives up power.

[bitterpresent.livejournal.com]

I thought it was pretty obvious.

It's more civil than trying to usurp someone, though.

[donttelldaddy.livejournal.com]

Then congratulations, you're smarter than most.

That's true, but that doesn't mean it would ever happen.

[bitterpresent.livejournal.com]

Maybe they can wait until the leader's done leading?

[donttelldaddy.livejournal.com]

In an orderly government, yes. But a lot of them are not. And the dynamic isn't always between leaders and subjects, what about between two people?

[bitterpresent.livejournal.com]

Compromise? Partnerships aren't unheard of.

[donttelldaddy.livejournal.com]

Compromise is the result of a failed attempt to gain another side's strength. Nobody would compromise if they could avoid it, they would much rather get their way.

[bitterpresent.livejournal.com]

I refuse to believe everyone's that selfish.

[donttelldaddy.livejournal.com]

It isn't a matter of belief, it's a fact. If it comes down to making a choice between winning and not winning, humans want to win. It's not selfish, it's survival instinct.