from Verse One Hundred Fifty-NineThere are constraints for governing nations, but the basis is benefiting the people; there are ways for promulgating policies, but the precedent is to implement them. If you benefit the people, it is not necessary to be ruled by precedent; if you manage everything, it is not necessary to follow custom.~ Wen-tzu: Understanding the Mysteries ~
On this blog and throughout the blogosphere, there are ongoing discussions about which type of government is the best. However, it doesn't matter whether one favors capitalism, socialism, fascism, monarchy, totalitarianism or any other ism that a person can think of. If we look at the history of humankind, it seems that all governments favor certain sectors of the population, while neglecting the vast majority. This is just as true today as it was during the Warring States period when Lao Tzu purportedly was alive.
For the most part, government serves the interests of the elite within any given society. It doesn't matter how the elite is determined -- government does their bidding. People outside of the elite circle may or may not be allowed a certain measure of input, but the country is not set up to serve their needs.
And this is what I believe Lao Tzu is driving at. If the structure of nations did take into account the needs and dreams of ALL of their citizens, such nations would be far more in balance AND harmonious.
This post is part of a series. For an introduction, go here.
For the most part, government serves the interests of the elite within any given society. It doesn't matter how the elite is determined -- government does their bidding. People outside of the elite circle may or may not be allowed a certain measure of input, but the country is not set up to serve their needs.
And this is what I believe Lao Tzu is driving at. If the structure of nations did take into account the needs and dreams of ALL of their citizens, such nations would be far more in balance AND harmonious.
This post is part of a series. For an introduction, go here.
I have thought about the how the idea of how the governing forces according to Lao should heed the "public good" comes close to a kind of proto-democratic idea. Which although lacking in advocacy of representative or direct democracy as in (the also elitist) Athenic city-state, still may have contributed to a sensibility to public good which represent a more social libertarian influence and pave the way for democratic ideas.
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I think this is a comment about not being so rigidly Confucian.
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