IT’S WHO WE ARE ALREADY

According to Roskin, Cord, Medeiros, and Jones, there has been no political theory, neither is there one likely to “establish itself as the dominant paradigm” (2010).   In acknowledging that, I find it quite appropriate to assert the cliché that “there is always room for improvement”.  Thus, I strongly believe that the establishment of a dominant, more practical paradigm is feasible, primarily one the United States can be proud of simply because of its effectiveness in resolving issues.  As sort of a mock reconstructive model for our country’s political system, I will present ideas in this essay that I believe will collectively be sufficient for the overall prosperity of America, while also briefly discussing reasons to shun the authoritarian way.  My argument is that because we currently operate in an ideal democratic system that possesses characteristics of the dominant paradigm, by considering and adopting certain aspects of the Confucian system, and concentrating on developing a more Liberal Libertarian way, our system can become the dominant paradigm, because it’s who we are already.

As an appetizer here, it should be noted that in no way am I against those in positions of authority, but the practices of authoritarianism or even the mere hint of them in present-day America, is absolutely absurd to me (I am speaking from the perspective of America as a microcosm).  There should not be one person alive, with a sound mind that should be willing to submit to authoritarian practices of any kind.  Politically, authoritarian systems have proven to be ineffective, suppressing “individual initiative by regulations and taxes, and crush[ing] critical viewpoints” (Roskin, Cord, Medeiros, and Jones, 2010).  As a man in a position on the very bottom of society’s totem pole, people like me, who are in that same position, are the very people that I am advocating, and as their advocate and representative, I feel I am certain that none of us would be happy living under such circumstances.  It is safe to say that everyone just wants to be free in every possible aspect. 

As a Liberal Libertarian, I am all about freedom as well as equal opportunity for everyone—not just white people, or people with a certain last name, or people who have been in a particular employment position with a company for a hundred years, or people who look better than others, or rich people or poor people—everyone!  Theoretically, this sort of outlook is one that should be an element that makes up that dominant political system.  This is an outlook that says to the government, “Leave me alone unless I need help and you  have something in place that can help me”, “Establish tax rates that work for everyone and don’t raise those rates unless absolutely every other option has been exhausted and there is no other choice but to do so”, “None of my rights should ever be infringed upon under any circumstances, unless it is in an instance of national security”—this is an outlook that will be sufficient for all people no matter what, and it will eventually make up that dominant paradigm because like-minded citizens of other nations will gravitate towards it, particularly government officials.

Additionally, as it seems, the United States is already, essentially, a Liberal Libertarian nation and the days of the uptight, ultra-conservative are rapidly fading away.  Today, it seems the only reason people claim the Republican Party is because of loyalty to their family or maybe even because they were able to get a job that sort of made them guilty by association.  The same goes for Democrats, except they can be given a little slack here, because a good bit of them are truly genuine—other than that, a number of newer Democrats are merely members of the party because they could not fathom not being a part of what’s considered to be the “norm”, and they simply despise the stubborn and inconsiderate nature of the G.O.P. so they just settled.  However, essentially, this country is already a liberal nation because we all are committed to “intellectual freedom, freedom of speech, association, and civil liberties generally” (Waldron, 1987).  “In the realm of personal life, [we all] raise [our] banners for freedom of religious beliefs and practice, freedom of lifestyle in regard to sexual practices, marital affairs, pornography, the use of drugs and all those familiar liberal concerns” (Waldron, 1987).  America is already a Libertarian nation because our individual liberties are important to us all.  No one with half a brain even wants to pay taxes at all, let alone high tax amounts.  And anybody who’s anybody understands that government involvement is only necessary when absolutely necessary.  This is a perspective that should be considered more thoroughly in the United States and definitely shared globally with other nations as an element of the dominant political paradigm for effective governing, because it is already a predominant mentality within our society.

Transitionally, because America is a nation that was built on the principles of God, it only makes sense for our fundamental political system to sort of adopt and seriously implement a more practical spiritual dimension, hoping the behavior will become pervasive throughout the nation.  Here’s why emphasis is added to the word practical: everyone knows that the Eastern Hemisphere has a reputation for being more in tune with the spiritual realm than its Western counterpart—in China, operating within the Confucian system, it is said that “the Emperor sets a moral example by purifying his spirit and perfecting his manners” (Roskin, et. al., 2010).  It’s just something about the East and the ways thereof that just makes every spiritual practice in the West seem so watered down.  Also, not only does the Confucian system offer a more practical spiritual dimension, but “some scholars believe that Confucian thought may provide a different meaning or understanding of democracy…” (Keqian, 2006).  For example, “Confucianism considered the ‘people’s will’, which is the accountable evidence of the ‘Heaven’s will’, as the source of approving the legitimacy of political power […] compatible with the Democratic view of political power” (Keqian, 2006).  Moreover, according to Louie, “not only is Confucianism thriving in the twenty-first century [,] it is likely to become even more influential in the foreseeable future” (2011).  “Moderation, harmony, and humane governance [are] qualities that the current advocates of Confucianism presume Confucius himself preached some two thousand years ago” (Louie, 2011)—and they are qualities that the government of the United States of America should most certainly stay mindful of every moment of their governing lives.

Collectively, a good solid foundation of practical spiritual principles, such as the ones that Confucius taught, along with a more Liberal Libertarian outlook, insists that we’ve got ourselves a political paradigm that people all over the world would be willing to submit to, because it’s who the majority of use already are.  Everyone wants the opportunity to share their views if they can, and everyone wants the opportunity to be great.  None of us are animals and none of us should have to submit to governments that obstruct genuine freedom in any way.  This world belongs to us all, and it should be conducted by the many of us who are Confucius in spirit, with an anatomy of Liberal Libertarianism.