The Paradigms of Power
Society is Based on morality.
Morality rests on consensus and requires the use of power to remove those who will not accept that consensus.
The continued existence of a shared morality rests on the forebearance of every single individual within a society from claiming the entire fruits of his or her labor.
A society's ability to achieve consensus is inversely proportional to the size and complexity of society, to the degree of technological advancement, and to the speed of internal communications.
The more complex a society's framework, the shorter the existence of that incarnation of a society.
Power cannot be maintained and effectively exercised without a moral structure accepted and practiced by all because power attracts the corruptible and because corruption destroys consensus.
Certain individuals are born incapable of forebearance; so are certain cultures.
Thus, continuation of society rests on; the willingness of each individual to accept the shared values of the society; the willingness and ability of those in power to remove those who do not support the morality of the society; and the willingness of all to limit the complexity of society to the scope of the consensus required.
The Construct
Mutual individual respect and self-respect must be maintained, since the greater the mutual respect between individuals and the respect for the role of each individual within society, the more stable the society.
Because society is based on trust, trust cannot be withheld on unfounded suspicion.
Threats are a form of mistrust; so are unprovoked violence,use of physical force, and manipulation of another. Failure to be untrustworthy requires removal from society.
Attempts to redefine principles into written rules of conduct reflect mistrust and are doomed to failure.
Direct statements of individual desires are not forms of mistrust, but no individual or group of individuals is bound or required to fulfill another's desire.
Society may agree upon mutual restrictive and/or coercive measures, but only so long as such measures have commensurate impacts upon those who develop and impose such measures.
From the book "Adiamante" Written by L.E. Modesitt, Jr.
Copyright © 1996 by L.E. Modesitt, Jr. Used with permission
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