The great civilization experiment
We think of democracy as the “great experiment,” and it is, but civilization itself has always been an experiment, and there’s always a chance it will blow up in the laboratory before it ever gets off the ground.
When it comes to testing civilization we can look at Russia and specifically Putin, as we should, but we should look at ourselves, too, while we’re at it.
To have something and keep it you have to value it. But valuing it isn’t enough. You have to understand what it takes to create it, and then you have to act on its behalf to preserve it.
Our modern obsession with “staying safe” has made us afraid to act decisively on behalf of civilization. This is unfortunate because chaos can’t wait to take its place. The job of being civilized is never done, but the preservation of civilization presents a dilemma that threatens to paralyze us.
How do we stop uncivilized behavior without becoming uncivilized ourselves? This dilemma plays out every day in many spheres of human activity: law enforcement, business, international affairs, interpersonal relations, war. This dilemma is joined at the hip with a more universal dilemma that speaks to our politics.
How do we recognize the value of the individual without creating a society full of individuals who are consumed by their own self importance? Are we capable of understanding how the noble idea of promoting the importance of the individual carries with it the unintended consequence of the “me” becoming more important than the “we”? We should consider this when we find ourselves elevating our own self-absorbed egomaniacs into positions of power. It’s easy to see the danger of it in a guy like Putin. It’s harder to see the danger of it in ourselves and our chosen champions.
In the sphere of war, Teddy Roosevelt encapsulated (and answered) the dilemma surrounding the preservation of civilization with a single phrase: “Walk softly, but carry a big stick.”
The world has walked softly and shown restraint with respect to Putin, but, as with all bullies, the only thing he understands is the stick. In the name of civilization we should face up to it, and get on with it; but when the job is done, go back home and don’t ever forget what created it.
Stephen Bruno is a Dalton Gardens resident.