Where there is elegant power people reckon that the
categories are acts of God. Where there is only crude power the underdogs take
to the streets in protest at the top dogs having failed to manufacture consent
by spreading myth and magic.
A new born human baby depends on family, friends and community
members to model the correct ways of being and doing. In my natal culture,
humbly born individuals are expected to kow tow to their elders and betters
because they are the good and great. Where there is unconditional deference
there is no democracy.
A small group of top dogs (the oligarchy) exists in most
cultures. At best they make up a meritocracy with suitable divisions of labour.
There would be entrepreneurial businessmen, technicians and scientists, shamans
and priests, educators and entertainers, arms traders and war mongers, philanthropists
and do gooders, etc
Amongst other things people have to make decisions either
very quickly as a reaction to a crisis or relatively slowly as a response to a
slow change. Note that ‘reality’ might have to be revised after the shaman
converses with God and brings back new tablets of stone.
So much for power to the people and for democracy!
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