Historically, some major characteristics of varying political states and structures include Liberty, Corruption, Class Struggle, Servitude, and Tyranny. The stated (though not always practiced) purpose of any political configuration is typically individual Liberty. What we often find is that the more the actual or perceived Liberty, the more the arrogance of the individual, and (if widespread) the more likely the whole will slide into Corruption, Class Struggle, the beginnings of Servitude, or (in some cases) Tyranny.

Machiavelli said, "It is better to be feared than loved if one cannot be both." Machiavelli and Socrates-through-Plato go on to suggest that as Liberty begins to disappear, the people will seek a restoration of their lost Liberties (possibly) by rallying around a powerful individual; one who understands Machiavelli. Once in power the cycle continues as this individual (or someone in that line of succession) will eventually be overcome by arrogance and the result will be varying degrees of tyranny. From here the possibility exists that the tyrant will be overthrown by a few powerful (arrogant) warriors and/or politicians, which ultimately (likely) becomes immediate Corruption and eventual Servitude. And from here, once again, the many will revolt in order to restore Liberty, and once accomplished will become comfortable, arrogant, and complacent, thereby allowing Liberties to slip from their grasp, and the cycle will begin again.

This is a simplified look at political possibilities. Reality is naturally more complex, often incorporating multiple characteristics into a political state, and even moving back and forth between these characteristics. Additionally, today politics reach beyond the official governing of a people and into every nook and cranny of our modern culture; from business to education to social organizations to science to religion to families to friendships to... If politics is defined as a struggle for power and control, these possibilities impact our every waking moment (and perhaps our sleeping moments) as we also individually struggle to know how best to advance our personal well-being.

Today it is easy to be led. Those who lead -those in control - those with power - in any arena, would like to keep the status quo. They are comfortable and arrogant and (probably) complacent. Today, those who are led, are also often comfortable and complacent, sometimes arrogant (believing what they are told), and sometimes apathetic. Peter Abelard (1079 - 1142) said, "Through doubting we question, and through questioning we perceive the truth." Political states evolve or cycle by doubting and questioning. I feel I have broached this topic (of questioning) frequently.

This week I want to examine two areas: (1) how (or even if) one's internal politics (beliefs and struggles) can help us to know how best to advance our personal well-being; and (2) if we (individually and as a whole) are indeed doomed to a cycle dominated by some form of unrest, or if some degree of peace is possible.

One's internal political beliefs likely rest on the confluence of political structures most likely to grant the greatest amount of personal freedom leading to happiness, (or Happiness). Unfortunately, as history has shown, many of us are short-sighted seeking only happiness in the present and foreseeable future; i.e. one's own Lifetime. So if one lives in comfortable circumstance, one is likely satisfied, making it difficult to envision the extended cycle. Since (in the words of Machiavelli) "All human affairs are ever in a state of flux and cannot stand still" for us (individually or as a whole) to stand still is ultimately doomed to an erosion of individual Liberties; if not noticeable in our Lifetime, then in our children's. So to advance one's personal well-being through one's internal political beliefs, one must first avoid arrogance and complacency, and struggle with (i.e. doubt) the current state of affairs. One must begin with him or her self.

I believe the framework of the five previously-identified political characteristics (Liberty - Corruption - Class Struggle - Servitude - Tyranny) provide a structure and discipline from which we can logically examine inner political struggle; (as in what competing urges power personal decisions). Since we are discussing one's personal inner struggles as a necessary starting point we will (for the most part) confine the discussion to feelings and thoughts, excluding actions and behaviors.

Liberty - Since we are limiting ourselves to the realm of feelings and thoughts, Liberty would be the complete freedom to translate all manner of both Dark and Light feelings into intelligible thoughts. I believe this to be impossible if one desires to be functional and sane. If one allowed this in every moment it would overwhelm. Some restraint and control is necessary to ensure there is no harm. We are barely into Liberty and have already determined that it is corrupted by one's humanity. So the goal now becomes to maximize functional Liberty. From the individual's perspective, this must include constantly doubting and questioning one's own beliefs, study for purposes of learning and growth, and a long-term vision to avoid arrogance and complacency. This is particularly difficult in the face of comfort and happiness; and this difficulty reinforces the oft-repeated premise that one must seek Happiness over happiness. As previously stated, individual Liberty (in this case maximizing individual, inner functional Liberty) is the typical goal of any political system. What follows in the remainder of the framework is essentially my written thoughts describing each remaining characteristic to enhance my awareness and (maybe?) discover new or evolved personal politics, in order to achieve maximal Liberty.

Corruption - As stated above, in the most ideal state (maximal functional Liberty), we are already corrupted by our humanity. Once one recognizes the necessity of some corruption, it is not a stretch to realize the benefits of a little more corruption; benefits such as 'easy' or 'lazy' comfort. We are too often corrupted by a desire to avoid hard work. In fact many of us find hard work desirable only when we are forced into that decision due to empirical realities or peer pressure. When left to our own devices, (devices such as the microwave, the drive-thru, the TV, the smartphone, and the Internet), we too often choose 'easy'. This corruption of one's potential not only harms the individual on an intuitive or transcendental level, but also empirically by further empowering those in power, thus solidifying the status quo and allowing more and more Liberties to slip away.

Class Struggle - Once corrupted it is easy to adhere to a majority belief (go along to get along); but too often the majority is not an actual majority but a vocal majority. (Moving for a moment into the territory of actions and behaviors), the minorities (I am speaking specifically to perceived minority thought) must not be afraid to speak out, and if enough do so they may be surprised to find that they are an actual majority (in thought). The first step though is to realize that I (as an individual) am a minority and regardless of perceived agreement, disagreement, or neutrality, especially if I am constantly doubting and questioning (as I should be), there will never be a perfect consensus. Therefore I should embrace the inevitable role of minority and continue to doubt and question. Moving further inward, each intelligible thought that I have will be a minority thought and at some degree of odds with all other thoughts. (Once we get past the externally-triggered struggle described above) this is the actual internal Class Struggle - the perceived need to reconcile groups of thoughts into a majority, in order to establish consistency partially by repressing, subduing, and beating down renegade, discomfortable, minority thoughts; these 'police state' activities should be recognized as such and avoided. Each individual thought deserves respect, consideration, and further analysis. So in this sense Class Struggle inspires and helps us to keep our creative edge and our desire to learn and grow.

So far I see that maximal, functional Liberty is the ideal, Corruption is (to some degree) necessary, and Class Struggle can inspire. I am curious to see if I will also find redeeming qualities (other than growth from adversity and cautionary examples) in Servitude and/or Tyranny.

Servitude - Servitude is the repression of minority or unpopular thought in the interest of advancing a single school of thought - one belief; no doubt; no question. To make this thought congruent with everyday empirical reality, one may convince themselves (and work at convincing others) of the 'rightness' of this thought. It appears that Servitude is only justifiable if the master thought is indeed the one and only Truth; knowing that of all the 'one and only Truths' around the globe, they cannot all be right. (What if I pick the wrong Truth?) Additionally this works against the necessity of doubt and questioning. (So now I have to ask if I am guilty of being a slave to doubt? - Interesting dilemma.) And now that I am doubting doubt, am I once again a free man? I don't know. I am confident though (at this point in my evolution) that I would much prefer doubt and uncertainty over indoctrination, dogma, unquestioning loyalty, and Servitude.

Tyranny - A tyrant is defined as 'one with absolute power used oppressively or unjustly'. Our inner tyrant is intelligible thought (one or a like-minded group) that immediately shuts down any reflection, and gives in without question or struggle, simply because it is what it is. This may be the result of long-term indoctrination, fear, or simply an inability to comprehend otherwise. The difference (for this discussion) between Tyranny and Servitude is that Servitude is more active and implies buy-in, whereas Tyranny is completely passive and requires no thought. Any perceived activity under Tyranny is simply rote.

I see no redeeming qualities within Servitude or Tyranny other than the aforementioned growth from adversity and cautionary example, though some may argue their occasional necessity as the part of the cycle meant to move us toward the ideal of maximal, functional Liberty.

Just by examining this cycle of varying political characteristics from an inner perspective has helped to structure my thoughts on how to advance personal well-being; from an awareness of the necessity of some minimal corruption to avoid a harmful overdose of free thought, to the inspiration of outlaw minority thoughts, to the recognition of Servitude and Tyranny so as to discourage and reduce their likelihood and occurrence, I am better for it. I am not sure that this is a new politics but (for me) it is evolved in that if I empower Corruption and Class Struggle to control my flow of perceived and actual Liberties, I may reduce the degree of necessary Servitude and Tyranny and/or (at the least) reduce (or eliminate) any resulting harm. I believe this to be possible by learning from (my own and other's) past experience and by recognizing the limitations of my humanity.

This morning I realized that I have had 2 or 3 'good' days in a row. This awareness saddened me somewhat as it also made me realize that the give and take between peace and unrest is constant and I should embrace both. It is sad that all days cannot be 'good' days. Within periods of peace I must create some unrest so I do not become complacent and so I will continue to strive for peace. We are not doomed to a cycle dominated by unrest; it is a gift that makes peace possible. Unfortunately, many of us are doomed by an illusion of peace that circumvents this natural and necessary cycle.