politics n vision chap 11

CHAPTER ELEVEN - From Modern to Postmodern Power

Main Ideas

• The interpretation of the past relies on present-day voices; denying one's own voice disconnects us from history.

• Western societies celebrated the third millennium as an indication of progress, accompanied by a collective identity shaped by memory and forgetfulness.

I. Celebrating the Death of the Past

• The past can be selectively remembered or forgotten, affecting the collective identity.

  • Examples of selective memory: Military defeats or shameful policies may be forgotten, while glorious revolutions might be celebrated.

  • Martin Luther King Day is an example of mixed remembrance (celebration and shame).

• The notion of a new millennium was associated with a break from the past, seen as obsolete or disposable.

• Historical atrocities (e.g., two world wars, the Holocaust) raise questions on how societies can mourn mass loss amid a culture that emphasizes moving forward.

II. The Baconian Vision of Power

• Francis Bacon emphasized the rejection of past philosophies to build a foundation for modern power.

  • His perspective marked a radical departure from previous understandings of power as limited resources.

• Bacon's view of power focused on inventing it through knowledge, connecting power with human ingenuity.

  • This marks a shift from power as the divine right of kings to a more systematic, scientific approach.

III. Cultivating Mind and Method

• There was a need for a complete overhaul of the mind to align it with the quest for power.

  • Bacon advocated for a rigorous pursuit of truth and a method of inquiry that views nature as both a laboratory and a conquest.

  • He distinguished his method from prior knowledge by emphasizing organization and institutional support to nurture scientific inquiry.

IV. Modern Power Realized

• Advances in knowledge and technology transformed human existence from the 17th century onward, leading to rising economic standards and life improvements.

• Modern society's achievements came at the cost of previous practices and institutions, culminating in significant destruction during events like Hiroshima.

  • This exemplifies how modern power required the dismantling of established norms and values.

V. Modern Power and Its Constituent Elements

• Social movements catalyzed the formation of modern power, leading to political transformations.

  • These revolutions occasionally enhanced liberties, but they could also lead to dictatorship and marginalization of the lower strata.

  • Economically, power dynamics shifted towards the elite; workers often became subjects rather than citizens.

• Economic theories developed alongside revolutions in politics and science but did not democratize in the same way; labor value recognized but power remains concentrated.

VI. Containing Power

• Historic attempts have been made to contain power, as seen in biblical examples (e.g., Solomon's Temple) symbolizing the challenges of controlling divinity and ambition.

• Constitutional frameworks developed over time aimed to restrict power for stability and representation.

  • Aristotelian views stressed the need for constitutions that reflect actual power dynamics within society, acknowledging class disparities.

• The evolution of bureaucracy played a significant role in centralizing power and distancing citizens from direct influence.

  • Modern constitutionalism aims for inclusiveness but often retains underlying class structures and regulatory powers that govern society.