Last updated on August 20, 2020
One true consensus that most people can agree upon is the symbiotic relationships to which we, as the general population, have towards any figurative authority leader; that is, there will always be some form of overhanging ‘father figure’ which will be an example of leadership and direction.
In circumstances ranging from the far fletched prospects of warfare and instability to the prosperous pax Americana that many today are gaining from greatly. However, because of the circumstances we are in, it will always be wise to look back to our pasts in search of a true source of guidance to look from.
To look to our ancestral mistakes, their weaknesses, and their greatest strengths… for all that is truly left of them is that of their legacy, to which we can only respect and carry on to our own, so that our children may live better lives.
Chapter 1: Autonomy
The great consensus to which the general population would have us believe is that monarchies have been the great holdovers of the past few thousand years of human civilization. Although, with a few notable exceptions such as the Dutch Republic, Roman Republic, etc., there have always been a majority of countries that adhered to an autocratic sense of governmental systems designed around a single head of state.
This has definitely changed in the past century and a half, but this has been the exception compared to the vast expanse of human civilization. The question arises, why would such a trend be so prominent in the human story?
Why would a population choose to be subject to a master which dictates every aspect of their lives? The problem with this assertion lies with the fallacy in asking such an absurd question… for the simple fact of disregarding numerous amount of other reasons as to why one would consent to their enslavement.
First, they lacked the knowledge available to know any better. This is basic human nature, to begin with, as not knowing that there is some better system out there, it is asserted “truth” that whatever governmental system that is in place, it is for the best.
“At least we aren’t with that other king,” or “at least we aren’t in that weird voting system over there that lasted five days.” It brings in the simple, but the logical fallacy of security over freedom or even vice versa, that even today, many would argue for either one.
However, what they would not see is the true purpose behind that truly prosperous but confusing symbiotic relationship. That security and freedom are one, not separate, or tools that can be handed to two people. It is one and has always been that way for as long as humans gained rational thought, although, it is important to understand why as well.
Chapter Two: Rules of the Game
There are several truths to which, in my opinion, shaped our understanding of government itself. First, that all things are different, all things have a reason to exist, and all things have a beginning and an end. Thereby, we must understand what it means to possess something to which others have and to lay our perspective on that prospect.
Nothing is truly predictable, and it is our duty of finding not what others would do, but could do. For this reason alone, it is not only right but must be assertive to the substratum of any society: for without law there is no freedom, but that the essence of freedom is the proper limitation of government. When government power increases, the people’s freedoms dissolve, and vice versa; there must always be a balance.
After one has ‘understood’ this resolve, it is also important to ‘identify’ the pieces to which the game is played. First, the foundation of any legitimate government is its people, the common masses, the populace. Yes, an oppressive or overwhelmingly strong government will gain temporary control over any population, however, making this claim contradicts the principle of age, that is, no one thing lasts forever.
That which, the government will be withered away piece by piece with the whole population rising up against that which has violated and sacked multiple times. The people begin seeing authority, not as a tool to their advantage in symbiotic relationships, but rather a force that must be put down in order to survive.
Second, the head of any society is the most revered and seen throughout, which is the executive authority. For without the proper utilization of this body of people, their tools, skills, and power, the nation might as well be non-existent.
By appointing and connecting with the leaders of those peoples to which that head of state might govern, a third and final body is created; the aristocracy, oligarchy, or whatever you might call it. By connecting all of these pieces together, harmony is created.
Thereby peace and eventual prosperity are harnessed in order to recognize the cracks to which a government might form, and make the necessary changes to survive.
Individuals in a large group, a nation, must need the anchor that is the government to survive. No matter the form, it is essential to recognize this aspect to stay on the correct path of peace.
Laws that are legitimate and thus, are properly enforced, leave the authority to be fit enough to give the true desire of the people; to have freedom. When people truly believe that they are secured, they are freer to pursue their desires of economic security, and thus society is able to lift itself from the depths of depravity.
When any kind of security is reached, an individual is free to pursue another, and that correlation has been able to do wonders for the rest of humanity. When too much of their freedoms are taken away, it is not only a sort of emotion violation, but a great misunderstanding by the hand of the government to increase prosperity.
When this happens, innovation has been limited, or even stopped, and thereby having their freedoms receded, the people have a necessary desire to pursue a course of change that is best suited to the needs of the people; security and freedom.
“Freedom isn’t free”, as the American proverb goes, and it is the constant struggle of our forebears and this generation to ensure that an incredible amount of sacrifice has not been going into the sewers. It is only human nature for individuals to seek power and to increase more and more, regardless of the damage done to those caught in the crossfire.
Their motivations recede to either serious genuine beliefs to their rule as “god-sent” or to the politique method of ensuring their rule through any means possible. It is by finding out how to secure their legacy and maybe even to the survival of mankind, that they must firmly entrench their authoritative hand as “just absolutism”.
A fixed body of law is not subject to change by the whims of the people. That the government is made up of the power of the people, their legitimacy, to grant unto others… a select few.
By doing so, capable leaders, who are made accountable for their actions, even to the smallest scrutiny, by securing the blessings of liberty unto the populace granted by the true sovereign of the republic, the law. That is the difference between the republic versus democracy. Accountability, and by applying blame to incur that this individual or that group are hypocritical and are not worthy of the role to which they have sworn to give their lives to.
Chapter Three: Fine Tuning
Thus, let us move to the final piece of the puzzle. It’s been a great deal of fun imagining the most proper or efficient form of government possible. Incorporating different pieces from history, learning the mistakes of the past and their successes.
Rome is probably the single greatest influence upon the current human understanding, at least in the Western world. Governments, cultures, religions, have been shaped by them and ultimately, it’s one of the first few places one should look for clues on building an empire.
The Principate was the Roman equivalent of a king disguised as an “inter gives”, first among citizens in order to hide the fact that Rome had transitioned into an autocracy but was still a ‘republic’ only in name. Therefore, the Senate was still in power, however, the patrician class was not totally dissolved as in any society, there will still lie a powerful elite that is built into the triangle of status. Finally, the foundational bedrock of society was the people.
An interesting way to look at any society and see why and how revolution occurs, it’s simple to look at the people being three times as strong as the other two sects of the triangle. However, it takes three times as long to mobilize their strength in order to be fully engaged.
Therefore, respect must be given to all members of the power scheme in order for one to stay in power and being a just prince at the same time; a balance of power is needed. Let us now build our theoretical government.
From the experiences seen from government, in democratic ones especially, passing legislation isn’t supremely seen as something to be on par with the entire assembly. Instead, it’s seen as a “big win” for a political party and never about cooperation, of course with notable exceptions.
However, in my opinion, these types of attitudes are drawn from the lack of accountability from the standpoint of those very politicians. Debates aren’t really about finding the truth, it’s about domination.
While speeches aren’t about getting your voice heard, it’s about trashing the administration or the opposition. The mentality is always that “the others” are our greatest enemies, therefore, understanding and cooperation are out of the picture; it’s all about winning to “survive”. What is needed is a change in the atmosphere.
This image above is an example of a roundhouse, which is a circular building that provides no such thing as an ‘end’ or a ‘beginning’. Like in the legends of King Arthur and the roundtable at camelot, it is an indication that all seated are equals. Those seated upon the outcrops of the building are the people, situated above not as ‘superiors’, but merely as spectators.
These two images above are The House of Representatives, and The House of Commons, respectively. As shown, these buildings provide for atmospheres which encourages some sort of divide between opposing groups instead of cooperation.
In the photograph showing The House of Commons, a red line is shown dividing the house. This is because the red lines are far enough away from each other in order to separate the two opposing sides just enough to be “swords-length away”, being forbidden for any member to cross the line. (I’m not sure if that’s where the phrase, “you’ve just crossed the line” comes from.)
The Principate should be the supreme head of state in this imaginative nation. Power is passed to their heirs and is raised to learn how to rule from birth. They preside over the sessions taking place in the roundhouse and have the power to appoint senators.
The Senate is a body of individuals who have the honor of passing legislation. Lastly, a tribune is elected from each province of this nation to not only advise the roundhouse but the honor of wielding veto power over legislation.
All sit as equals discussing issues to reach a solution rather than “trying to win”. A substratum of laws is created alongside this plan in order to set fundamental basics on the rights of the people. This is only one idea out of many that can be made to ensure better cooperation and accountability in government.
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