Discussing differences in order to make one

I have decided that a discussion that started from the post on The New Machiavellian State deserved to be continued here in the main blog spot. This discussion has great relevance to the topic of positive progression within society, an underlying theme within all of the E² postings. I encourage any one reading this to check out the comments under the original posting to see exactly how this discussion arose. I also encourage anyone to jump right into this. Determining which would be more effective; a complete overhaul of society starting from the bottom or a gradual reworking of the structures of society and mindsets of the people is essential for E² to step forward. I will now continue that discussion.

Franchise my friend; I would like to start by welcoming you to this blog. It is excellent to hear from you, as it was Mizzike earlier. I agree whole-heartedly with you that the chance to “wipe the slate clean” is currently at hand. In fact, I would argue that it is always there. Your views, although they would be considered anarchist in nature have great merit. They are indeed very reminiscent of the views adopted by many of those who were involved with the French Revolution. To throw away the current structure of society would be in my view a drastic yet effective way of eliminating the heavily institutionalized vices of society. I believe your view coincides with mine that there is a strong base from which our problems arise. However, we must discuss in further the implications of a total reorganization of society starting with the society in its natural state. I suppose the key questions that would arise are these: what is the true natural state of human beings when institutionalized order is removed? What would prevent us from returning to a similar state of affairs as today? What historical examples do we have to improve on?

Through further discussion of these questions I believe we can determine exactly how a possible reworking of society from scratch would occur and whether or not it is practical. Before I continue however, I would like to point out that I understand you most likely are only commenting that you would believe starting from “scratch” would possibly be positive and not necessarily practical. This would be my point of view. Historically speaking, we find that those societies that threw off their old institutions in order to get a fresh start ran into many problems. Two prime examples are France and it’s 1789 revolution and the 1917 Communist revolution within Russia. Both revolutions were based on what I would consider great progressive ideals. They both also produced a state of anarchy, which led subsequently to great bloodshed but also great reform. In hindsight, we can all agree that the French revolution based on the fantastic writings of the enlightenment period did not produce an ideal enlightened state. Nor, did the communist revolution of 1917 produce an ideal Marxist state. In fact, we find great examples of history repeating itself. Robes Pierre and Stalin both sprang out of these revolutions seizing power and are testaments to the corruption that power creates.

The next questions arise logically. What is it that causes society to revert to its former self? Why is it that we find such an evident cyclical pattern throughout history? Most importantly, how can we truly progress??? Let me clear up one thing. I do not propose that progression has never been made. In a multitude of areas we have progressed greatly as a human race. Technologically, we have made leaps and bounds. In fact the structure of society has made excellent progress too. However, this has almost always been due to the work of those with views that differ from the mainstream. The discussion and implication of our ideas will produce change if it is pursued with enough heart. As Franchise has proposed, the suffering of today’s generation would indeed be worth it if we make a step towards a better life for the next. For me, I would say that the only “suffering” that we truly need to endure in order to progress is to refrain from being apathetic. To fight the idea that the current structure of society is “just the way things are”. We need only to push forward with our ideas. We need to spread them to others and more importantly to encourage them to develop and contribute their own. Sacrifice your mundane daily routines to incorporate a progressive lifestyle. Franchise has the right idea here. We must “suffer” for the cause. If all we need to do is “suffer” by changing the way we think and act slightly in order to prevent future people of the world from suffering from war, famine, hate and ignorance, then what have we all been doing? This discussion is only the beginning. The more this happens, the more people you talk to the closer we all get to making a difference.