Government, Politics and Spirituality
abracad, · Categories: spiritual politicsAs speculation over the 2008 Presidential election intensifies it is an opportune moment to reflect on the relationship between government, politics, and Spirituality.
Origins
All life emanates from the single source (God, Spirit...). On taking physical form we become distant from that unity and adopt a distinct individuality. The purpose of physical incarnation is to experience that disconnection from source and those things that can only be experienced through interaction with other incarnate entities. As such the knowledge of our origin is hidden.
In the beginning, incarnate entities existed independently. However, the mechanics of evolution demonstrated the benefits of co-operation. Working together each member achieves more than it could in isolation. Thus groups, tribes, nations, societies… were formed. To be effective each group needs rules, and a means of enforcing those rules (laws). Hence the need for leadership (government). At essence laws encourage selflessness by curtailing selfish behavior.
Governments have enabled enormous human progress on the material plane by providing the infrastructures that promote enterprise and creativity, eg who would bother to make an effort if his neighbor could simply come along and snatch the fruits of his labor? Government-provided health, education and welfare services underline the sanctity of life, a very Spiritual ideal. Without the benefits of formal government humanity probably couldn't have reached its current heights.
But there is a negative side to government. Most notably the wars perpetrated in "national" interest. Such behavior indicates Spiritual immaturity. Unfortunately the technological progress that created a whole a host of weapons of mass destruction outstrips our Spiritual growth, hence the tragic devastation caused by warfare. More subtly, all governments curtail individual liberty and freedom of expression to some degree.
Many forms of government have existed and continue to exist, ranging from the jungle-like dictatorship where the strongest holds dominion over all else, through to democracy in which everyone has a say on who leads, can lobby the leadership, and even run for the job themselves. Though democracy appears, and probably is, the most agreeable form of government, consider that most democratic governments enjoy (sometimes substantially) less than 50% of the possible votes, and are not the choice of the majority. Furthermore, even their supporters probably don't support every single policy and detail.
Politics and Spirituality
Politics is the process of proposing governmental policies and arguing the merits of those policies over others. That wild differences of political opinion have always existed and continue to do so proves only that there is no single best way. Indeed there is not even common agreement as to the role of government, never mind how it should be achieved.
Elections are a barometer of the current state of society's Spiritual progress. If one happens to live in a democracy should one participate, and if so, how? While on earth our Spiritual duty is to engage with earthly affairs (else we wouldn't be here). As election time approaches we ought to familiarize ourselves with the available options. You might find one choice better for you personally, while another favors society as a whole. If so, it becomes a question of degree, eg can you sacrifice a little extra tax in return for vastly improved public health services? Remember, abstention is also a valid option, though ideally it should come from a considered decision rather than apathy. In the final reckoning, be guided by the voice within.
Election 2008 and Spirituality
From a Spiritual perspective there is no doubt the election of Barack Obama as President in 2008 would be a far more favorable outcome, indicating true progress in the group psyche and sowing the seeds for further growth. Obama has consistently opposed the Iraq war and pledged to end U.S. involvement. By contrast John McCain has consistently supported and continues to support the war. Obama also proposes reducing the tax burden on the most needy, and a universal health care plan (it defies belief that in the world's most advanced nation tens of millions have no health coverage). Spiritually, the election of John McCain would be a retrograde step.
A World Without Borders
Imagine there's no countries; It isn't hard to do John Lennon
Back in the 1800's Karl Marx wrote: "From each according to their ability, to each according to their need." Since then the forces of capitalism, based on the very opposite principle, have been (materially) successful to an unprecedented degree. Still, one wonders whether Marx's words were ahead of their time and in a future world materialism may be subordinate to the recognition of the oneness of all.
The currently prevailing system of nationhood and governments has both benefits and flaws. It has fostered the enormous (material) progress seen today. But the system is but a passing phase on the Spiritual journey and shall some day be replaced. Already we witness the phenomenon of globalization. Giant corporations with finances far greater than many nations operate freely across the world. Communications technology, particularly the Internet, is rendering artificial boundaries meaningless for billions of participants who can socialize and do business with anyone, anywhere.
The Internet has spawned numerous examples of selfless collaboration for the common good. The Open Source movement has created such ubiquitous software as the Linux operating system and Apache Web server and much more. The Wikipedia project has seen countless participants produce an encyclopedia of unparalleled breadth and depth. Numerous other examples are detailed in Don Tapscott and Anthony D. Williams' bestseller Wikinomics: How Mass Collaboration Changes Everything.
Of course, these new forces have teething troubles. Irresponsible commerce is damaging the earth's fragile environment. The Internet plays host to all manner of unsavory material. However the transition to a world without borders is irresistible.
In this new world there will be no external laws. Instead, individuals will have advanced sufficiently, Spiritually, to be their own law, and as a group each man’s law shall serve the common good, ie universal progress. There will be no more war, for there will be no more leaders to mobilize the masses, no masses to be mobilized, and no external groups behind imagined borders to be demonized and mobilized against.
Eventually the concept of government will become redundant as individuals become developed enough to assume responsibility for their own destiny as well as shared responsibility for the well being of others. For example, forced contribution to the "greater good" through taxation will be replaced by universal awareness of the oneness of all.
As a group we are not yet ready, so the need for government and politics remains a little longer.
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