Overstatism
The citizenry of Atlantis have become more inclined to dispute the systems of the world around them, especially in the last two decades or so. The ruling priesthood have often responded by pointing out that it is through their mediation that Atlantis and the world interact, often to the benefit of Atlanteans.
But this is a two-edged blade with one edge occluded to the benefit of that priesthood. Surely, when Atlantis and the world interact to the detriment of Atlanteans, it is likewise through the mediation of the priesthood?
In some ways, that is true; in some other ways, it is not. The State has a greater role to play if Atlantis seems arrogant and hence odious in the sight of others, and it is all too convenient for Atlanteans to blame a nanny-like State for the way they were brought up. But I think that Atlantean adults (those aged 40 and above) should bear the major responsibility for their own actions.
Likewise, the wealth of Atlanteans stems mostly from State interventions and interactions. Concretely speaking, a cubicle of stone with a floor area of around a hundred square metrons is nothing to boast about. But in Atlantis, due to clever manipulation, such a space can be made to cost 300,000 Atlantean thalers, or at the present rate of exchange, 200,000 Columbian eagles. It is ridiculous, but an obvious benefit should any Atlantean wish to sell up and emigrate.
The point one could make after writing many such books on many such topics is that if the State is your father and your mother, your teacher and your guide, your mentor and your archon, then the State can be made responsible for both Good and Evil. At which point, having arrogated unto themselves the role of the Highest, one can ask the same question as one often asks the Highest, "If Thou be all-powerful, all-wise and all-present, whence cometh Evil?"
But at that point, the State can always fall into the heresy of the Manichaeans or otherwise and claim that they alone are not the Highest, but subject to the will of others. It might be illogical, but it is certainly convenient.
I call this kind of reasoning 'overstatism'. It is the idea of a Strong State which can claim weakness, ignorance and impotence when convenient — and then (not so) subtly hint that the people should educate themselves and make themselves strong and powerful and influential to compensate for this. The burden is thus shared between State and People: what is good comes from the State and what is ill is the fault of the People or to be blamed on the People.
Then again, maybe I am overstating the case. Maybe the People ought to be blamed because they have established too strong a State. Maybe it is their fault, their lapse, that this generation looks headed towards leaderlessness. I wouldn't know; I am merely a little dot in the matrix of the State.
But this is a two-edged blade with one edge occluded to the benefit of that priesthood. Surely, when Atlantis and the world interact to the detriment of Atlanteans, it is likewise through the mediation of the priesthood?
In some ways, that is true; in some other ways, it is not. The State has a greater role to play if Atlantis seems arrogant and hence odious in the sight of others, and it is all too convenient for Atlanteans to blame a nanny-like State for the way they were brought up. But I think that Atlantean adults (those aged 40 and above) should bear the major responsibility for their own actions.
Likewise, the wealth of Atlanteans stems mostly from State interventions and interactions. Concretely speaking, a cubicle of stone with a floor area of around a hundred square metrons is nothing to boast about. But in Atlantis, due to clever manipulation, such a space can be made to cost 300,000 Atlantean thalers, or at the present rate of exchange, 200,000 Columbian eagles. It is ridiculous, but an obvious benefit should any Atlantean wish to sell up and emigrate.
The point one could make after writing many such books on many such topics is that if the State is your father and your mother, your teacher and your guide, your mentor and your archon, then the State can be made responsible for both Good and Evil. At which point, having arrogated unto themselves the role of the Highest, one can ask the same question as one often asks the Highest, "If Thou be all-powerful, all-wise and all-present, whence cometh Evil?"
But at that point, the State can always fall into the heresy of the Manichaeans or otherwise and claim that they alone are not the Highest, but subject to the will of others. It might be illogical, but it is certainly convenient.
I call this kind of reasoning 'overstatism'. It is the idea of a Strong State which can claim weakness, ignorance and impotence when convenient — and then (not so) subtly hint that the people should educate themselves and make themselves strong and powerful and influential to compensate for this. The burden is thus shared between State and People: what is good comes from the State and what is ill is the fault of the People or to be blamed on the People.
Then again, maybe I am overstating the case. Maybe the People ought to be blamed because they have established too strong a State. Maybe it is their fault, their lapse, that this generation looks headed towards leaderlessness. I wouldn't know; I am merely a little dot in the matrix of the State.
etched with acid at 10:54:00 am
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home