~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.

Comments

[bitterpresent]

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

[donttelldaddy]

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]

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]

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]

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

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

[donttelldaddy]

The revelation sometimes takes people by surprise.

That's ridiculous, nobody voluntarily gives up power.

[bitterpresent]

I thought it was pretty obvious.

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

[donttelldaddy]

Then congratulations, you're smarter than most.

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

[bitterpresent]

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

[donttelldaddy]

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]

Compromise? Partnerships aren't unheard of.

[donttelldaddy]

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]

I refuse to believe everyone's that selfish.

[donttelldaddy]

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.