Authority vs. Equality

Our modern civilization as a whole spends so much time getting caught up in working, watching tv, surfing the internet, etc., that we barely leave ourselves time to think about true issues going on. I'm not talking minor issues, such as what to have for breakfast or that work/school deadline coming up. What I'm referring to are the true underlying issues in our world today. Relating back to my last blog post, many people just simply accept the opinions of others rather than thinking a situation through, either due to lack of time or lack of concern. However, there are certain fundamental and undeniable issues in the world we live in that many people do not take the time to address.

One such issue is that of authority. Many people do not even question the authority of police, the government, and other officials because they were raised to respect authority and simply accept the truth that people have authority over them. Others, however, see authority as completely immoral and against human nature.

Authority does not present a significant problem to most until it affects their lives directly. Take, for example, the presidential and political elite in any country. They have the ability to directly influence the lives of those under their control on a whim, if they so desire. The American Congress and House of Representatives has the authority to propose and ratify any federal law they wish to approve, within the general guidelines of the Constitution. They also have the ability to declare war against foreign nations and mobilize armed troops. Members of the armed forces in a given country during a period of armed conflict or war may simply be seen as pawns or statistics to these upper class politicians.

This brings me back to my original debate regarding the morality of authority. Who gives one set of men the authority to send another set of men to a foreign nation and possibly to their deathbeds? Who gives police the right to detain and arrest someone for a petty crime in a "free" country? The answer is government.

I am not trying to suggest that government is unnecessary, because, frankly, I think there are a lot of people in the world who crave order and do not wish to think for themselves whenever possible. It is merely my goal to point out that when you view other people who are biologically and physiologically almost exactly the same as you as elite and in-power, you are relinquishing control of your own life. It was constantly stressed to me growing up that I am not better than anyone else and no one else is better than me.

Some people are born wealthy and empowered, and some are not. Some have the means to overcome the odds, and some do not. Why, then, do we look down on those who are viewed as "lesser" to us in society? People are merely labeling and objectifying themselves if they truly believe someone has real authority over them.

While society has guidelines and rules set to keep life running smoothly (for most people), it is impossible to say that the rules and beliefs of one set of people from one particular time period can correspond exactly to the rules and beliefs of a majority of people decades or centuries later. In a free society, as the United States was intended to be from the start, the governing principles should always represent the needs and views of the people.

Government has truly become a sort of controlling elite in modern times. People look up to politicians and, though they may disagree with elected officials, there is practically nothing they can do once these people are in office. This presents a huge disconnect in logic, at least in my eyes.

Authority and power are two very different things. Power is the capability to make others, whether through force or through persuasion, to do things they would not have done on their own. Authority, however, is the moral right to exercise power. While these governmental officials may have power over the people, who is to say they have the authority to use it?

The Declaration of Independence was a major milestone in the worldwide view of the USA as an independent nation. It states that three inalienable rights given to the people are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. Our political system has become so corrupt with the wealthy elite and those with selfish and immoral desires that it is impossible to see all these rights protected. The Declaration of Independence also asserts that government was instituted merely to protect these freedoms, not to limit them. One of the most debated phrases in the entire document comes next. "That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute a new Government".

Could you truly imagine ringing the White House doorbell and telling President Obama that, in your personal view, our government is inhibiting your rights to Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness? Even more absurd, could you imagine telling the wealthy elite and those in governmental positions of power that the government has become destructive and you are going to overthrow it? You would merely be dismissed as insane, or thrown in jail if your actions became drastic enough. I am not saying the government needs to be overthrown (although it surely needs to be reworked), however this is a good example of a fundamental right which has been relinquished by "the authority" merely because they do not want to lose power. Power, whether physical or fiscal, is one of the most alluring prospects to people in our modern, materialistic world.

Politicians have become so wrapped up in their politics that they forget we are merely guests on this Earth. It existed long before we did, and will continue to exist long after we die out. Our trifling governments and petty issues are of no concern to the near immortal nature of the planet we inhabit. Take a look at every other animal on Earth to see that humans are clearly doing something wrong. Every other species maintains an equilibrium with its environment and respects forces greater than itself. Humans are a much different case, however.

Our superior intelligence is the very thing that entraps us in this world. It causes us to greedily crave power and always race in an attempt to outperform all other people. We practically sell our souls to become rich, famous, or powerful. This cardinal flaw in the current human mindset causes us to view every small task as a race. We strive to be better than everyone else, when intrinsically we are all the exact same.

I want this post to serve as an outcry, both to those in power and to those suffering under it. Some degree of authority is always necessary to prevent complete anarchy, but the level of greed and corrupt power seen today is absolutely ridiculous. I try to see "authority" figures as merely equals, and while I know that it is highly unlikely they will do the same, I still work to show them genuine respect (if it is deserved). It is not a selfish ambition to deny that others have authority over you; in fact, it is your elementary right as a human. In my mind, while I answer to some of those in power simply out of respect or to avoid conflict, no one truly has authority over me, and that alone is one of the most liberating realizations one can have.

-MW