28 March 2009

The founders of our government wrestled long and hard with the challenge, for a number of reasons.  But among them was the need for checks and balances to keep power in balance, and that included the dangerous power of a majority.

The angry masses.  The British in the early days of the industrial revolution were particularly wary of the ignorant, dangerous masses especially in the crowded cities such as London.  The French, during and immediately after their revolution, had direct experience with the masses that was not pleasant.

But who are these "masses?"  You and me, all of us, are part of the masses of humanity that make up the citizenry of our - and any - country.  And we are dangerous?  History tells us that we, or portions of us can be.  Why?  Because we are susceptible to emotional suggestion - when presented in the right manner - that is, emotionally, charistmatically, and convincingly; meaning in a way that makes sense to those who are being aroused - and feel they have reason to be aroused.

The Middle East, Pakistan, Paris, many countries in Africa, Indonesia, even South Korea have seen riotous results of mass bating, usually with some basis, but always encouraged - by someone.  Well, it could never happen here; but it has.  Hopefully it will not again; why might it happen here?

Anger is the primary reason, anger based on personal difficulties, however purceived.  Anger becomes a problem when the perception is shaped by leaders who wish to use it for their own purposes; but it is far easier to do that when the anger is real and justified, and, as always is the case to at least some extent, based on less than full understanding - partial ignorance.  And it is always the case, that we, all of us, are partly ignorant; it must be so for none of us can know everything.  And since that is always true there are always those who will try to use selective information to inflame us to take action - for their own purposes - we call it propaganda; selective information can be far more dangerous than mere limited information.

Look around.  We are all guilty of complaining and arguing based on limited information, when that limited information makes us angry.  It happens everywhere, and continually.  And where does the limited information come from?  Everywhere - friends and acquaintences are continually feeding it to us, even more so now that we have steady access to e-mail.  And where do they get it?  From those who have developed their own selective information, for whatever reason; some from personal experience, some from prejudice, but most from mass media.

At what point does it become incindiary?  Ah, that's the problem, we never really know, although we can be assured that anger believed to be justified will be at the bottom of it somewhere.  So how is that anger kindled into mass uprising - Riots?  History provides many examples, but all are pretty much different in the details; it depends on the circumstances - and who is feeding the fire, with what resources.

Paranoia!  No realism.  We  should panic?  Nope, just be wary.  Being wary is always a good rule - questioning logic and source, and as pressure builds as it has for decades in a more and more complex world economy, connected electronically to unbelievable amounts of information, some of dubious quality, there are more and more opportunities for angry disruptions.  In fact we see them everywhere.  But not here - yet.

Beware the angry masses.