Language

leadership versus power

Submitted November 15, 2004 - 10:16 am by Simon Binks
I've probably missed the point entirely, which wouldn't be good as a first serious contribution, but it wouldn't be anything new either!

Bill's 'rant' draws an important point, in describing the 'evolution' from family, through tribe et al. to modern 'democracy', I'm reminded of a much repeated conversation between myself and an ex-colleague. We were discussing the nature of modern politicians, being English, this centred on Mr Blair, and came to the conclusion that the difference between those who lead, and those who seek to lead, is power. Politicians seek to lead, because that leadership bestows power, they are in essence socio-paths.

A family hierarchy does not bestow leadership on someone who sought it, but rather on the peer most respected; traditionally age has been proxy for respect. In other words leadership is not derived from someone who seeks power but from someone who already has power. The difference being, the politician seeks an artificial power, state power, whereas the most respected peer (father/mother etc etc.) has a naturally occurring power, respect.

Whilst an artificial power requires a structure to maintain it, namely the rule of law. Respect, the naturally occurring power, requires no structure. As Bill highlights, it was the transfer of this natural power, into an artificial power, through the rule of law that attracted the socio-paths to leadership.

I guess in a sense the Zapatistas do not need to seek the ‘states power’ as they have restored the naturally occurring power of mutual respect.  

Teo I going to try and answer your question. This could be the point at which my lack of understanding becomes most clear, the juntas de buen gobierno as you say represents the taking on of state powers, taxation etc, however, In my opinion, its importance is in the fact that this power still stems from a natural respect rather than rule of law, hence it is not self defeating. If anything the Zapatistas have eliminated the state power by transferring a previously governed process back into the hands of communities.

It remains to be seen, and could yet be a long way off, whether communities can live in harmony without a desire to increase their power. To go full circle this depends on their ability to be led by the respected, rather than socio-paths.

Right back to the day job.

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