Power and Community

As the election circus revs up once again, it is clear that we are way too busy fighting with each other to even begin to deal with some very serious problems.  At a time when our very lives depend on quick and decisive action, we are instead completely absorbed in finger pointing and name-calling.  As the rest of the world looks on and shakes their collective head, the question is:  will the people of the United States be able to shake off this insanity and begin to act rationally or will they drag the world down in flames?  In terms of priorities, the very real and serious problems we face must defer to the problem of our inability to act. 

There are many reasons for our being as polarized as we are.   In an earlier column, I touched on the idea that we have become a worker/consumer society and we depend on business rather than people in our community to provide for our needs.  In the absence of friendship and community, individuals become stereotypes.  Nobody goes around saying they hate Joe Smith or Marilyn Feldman.  We hate those elitist, arrogant, godless Liberals and those ignorant, hateful, conservative, religious zealots.  “We” are completely rational and reasonable and “they” are implacable and mean to destroy our culture and our nation.

Without getting too conspiratorial, I have to say that I see a little social engineering here.  In society, power is a fact and it will be wielded.  Its natural tendency is to concentrate in the hands of the fewest number.  It’s much easier to wield power if the rabble is completely disorganized.  What better way to do that than to redirect all their angst on each other?  From the Magna Charta to the Declaration of Independence, the intention has been to diffuse that power into the greatest number, thereby lessening the possibility of abuse.  But since its natural tendency is to concentrate, constant vigilance is required, and we never seem to be too good at that.    Whether consciously conceived or not, the perfect system was developed whereby power can be wielded by a very few by providing to consumers products and the illusion that they can have lots of goodies with no responsibility to their neighbors.  In this frame, Freedom and Liberty means the right to do as one pleases, to take what one can, and to feel that one is not accountable in any way to the community that actually makes it all possible.  By keeping us atomized and under the illusion that we’re free, the power that is ours to wield has risen to the top.  Now we have the perfect dependent relationship where the economic barons, who own the means of production, seemingly give us jobs, credit, food, cars, entertainment, etc. and we let them call the shots. 

So what can we do to diffuse power once again into all of our hands?  First, we need to recognize that we have a problem.  We can each do that by getting behind the Occupy Wall St. protests.  The Tea Party, in its own way, is expressing a similar sentiment. 

Second, we have to be ready to assume the responsibilities that our share of the power brings.  It means we have to deliberate with our neighbors about local matters, elect worthy representatives to higher levels and spend enough time on the issues that we will be able to tell them what we want them to do.  It also means that we will have to be open minded and respectful of opinions other than our own so that we can work together towards some kind of consensus with our fellow power wielders.

Third, we need to be able to do without the baubles and bangles that Wall St., Walmart, and Costco buy us off with.  If we can’t do that we have no bargaining position.   This means we need to become more self reliant, to localize our economy, to rely on our neighbors. 

Fourth, when it comes to questions of scale, we should always look to using the smallest scale at which something can be provided efficiently. Adam Smith had smaller communities and capitalists that were accountable to the communities they served in mind.  As E. F. Schumacher said 30 years ago,  “Small if Beautiful”. Nowadays, energy costs of shipping will greatly favor smaller, more local solutions,  Some things will still need to be done at a large scale, but that should be after due consideration, not as a default position.

Fifth, ownership of the means of production should be spread broadly.  I think that communism, fascism, and modern capitalism all are wrong to concentrate ownership at the top, whether private or public.  There are many well-run worker owned businesses and that should be a preferred model.

Last, be a good neighbor.  Even you cynics out there might find it interesting to see where a cheery helpful attitude might get you.  Also, be sure to attend the All Island Community Forum :  “Vashon Water: Vitality, Resilience, and Growth”, this Thursday, Oct 27, 7-9 pm. at the “O” Space.

Comments?  terry@vashonloop.com