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Philosophy 101
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Book Plot
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Book Plot |
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Robin Goodfellow Junior Member
since 1999-06-29
Posts 26 |
I have a small question to ask. I am working on writting a book about a politicians and form of government. I got the idea from something the Leto II said in the Dune series. Its about a city in which the king has absolute power yet is fully subjected to the people. He rules in any manner he wishes but on one condition. One night a year when the sky is it darkest, all of the lights are shut off, the entire populace wears black except for the king who must wear bright illuminating clothes. The king must walk the streets with no defenses. If he has been a good king then he lives to see morning. If not then no one is convicted and a new monarch is placed on the throne. Its an isolated city-state so they have no other form of government to choose from. This is how it has always been done. The citizens hold it as a sacred rite so the power is never abused. Wouldn't this also be a way to breed the perfect democracy? The king holding an axe over the people and the people holding one over him. A continued stalemate until it became an understanding that to be the king you must be a true servant of the people as well as one of the state. "The one-eyed view of our universe says you must not look far afield for problems. Such problems may never arrive. Instead, tend to the wolf within your fences. The packs ranging outside may not even exist" ~ The Azhar Book; Shamra 1:4 |
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Ron
Administrator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-05-19
Posts 8669Michigan, US |
A benevolent dictatorship is, without question, the most efficient form of government possible. The difficult, of course, has always been insuring that benevolence… The problem I see with the plot, however, is the harsh reality of human nature. The only monarch who could avoid death would be the one who did NOTHING. And nine times out of ten, even they would end up as vulture bait. Think of Ghandi. Jesus. Lincoln. And scores of others. The best leaders always make enemies. A slightly better scenario would be to have the "executioner" pay for his opinion with his own life. Do you dislike Clinton enough to sacrifice your life? But even then, the truth is there would always be at least one nut in the crowd with delusions of grandeur and no sense of self-worth. |
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Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612Hurricane Alley |
I think no matter who rules, there is always dissension. It's human nature to rebel against authority..even a younger generation against an older one...would the ruler be replaced each year? That would cause havoc! (It's an interesting concept though!) |
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JP Senior Member
since 1999-05-25
Posts 1343Loomis, CA |
Hints of Plato's 'philosopher king'. The citizen who serves because it is his duty to serve, with no prediliction to self promotion or power mongering.... nice dream huh? Ron and PD make valid points, there will be, and always will be, those who dissent, and those who will destroy on nothing more than a dare.... Since we are on the topic.... does anyone find it strange that we have 50 contestants for Miss America and only 2 for president? Yesterday is ash, tomorrow is smoke; only today does the fire burn. JP |
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