This book. This book was a very challenging read. It was one of those reads where I decided to "shut up & listen". I had to see where he was coming from and not dismiss him too quickly. I had to set aside my opinions.
So far this year, I think this might have been one of the most important reads for me.
John Saul made what I think, is a an essential point about the way we cling to ideology - especially politically and economically (but even religiously).
This book is a plea for people to recommit to true citizen-based democracy and the common good (but not in an Orwellian way - and yes there is such a thing).
And the best way to achieve a healthy balance is to accept that all ideology - especially your own - is susceptible to dogma, flaw, oversight, mismanagement and especially corruption. If the citizen can keep this in mind, he will remain free. Democracy remains pure. Public-will is balanced and fair for all.
The greatest threat to freedom and democracy is passivity and conformity. When we place our complete faith in the political party or leader of choice, and then forfeit the necessity of questioning and even criticizing them, we threaten our own freedoms and the very fabric of democracy.
Some may think they have done their part for democracy by voting their conscience ("My conscience is clear"). But in a healthy democracy, the conscience must never stop working. You & I must ever-exercise our conscience by questioning the actions of our beloved leaders and our own political ideology.
Using common sense, ethics, memory (history) and reason (to name a few) as filters for the political policies and actions of those leaders & parties I voted for, I believe in, I think are the best - keeps me free.
Because history shows how regardless of the preference - left or right - if the people fall into passivity and conformity, totalitarianism is inevitable.
I have heard it said, time and time again, socialism leads to communism. It can. It has. Equally as true - capitalism leads to fascism. It can and it has. Perhaps, depending on where you sit on the political spectrum, I have said offensive things. The truth hurts.
How do we stay free?
It's our "yeah but"s that are the problem. The moment we accept nothing is perfect and instead say, "Okay we have problems too ...Who? What? When? Where? Why? " the how is answered.
Did not Socrates say, and rightly so, "An unexamined life is not worth living"?
I tend to label or classify myself - feminist, Christian, environmentalist, left-centrist etc. etc. These are a few of my ideologies and I've held them pretty tight (some more than others). John Ralston Saul's book has opened the door, I think, for greater critical thinking and therefore, a chance to become a better version of myself - if I'm willing to do some work of course...
