An interesting side of history that modern human race try to
ignore the beauty and intelligence that the Mediterranean era contributed to
the knowledge and wisdom of mankind. Our
modern society today presumed that governance are more advance in terms of
legislative acts and implementation of law.
But as I read more academic references covering the Mediterranean laws
covering the Greek era for example, opens my reasoning intuition to rather
consider the olden type of governance to the modern day political and
government cases. This era can cover the
time of the Vikings, Agamemnon’s regime, Alexander the great, and many other
empires that connect to the civilization of the Nile
river. This civilization in the Mediterranean countries are
already distinct at this time that even when you go to Greece at this time you
can only find the relics of the ancient mathematicians and philosopher such as
Plato and Aristotle. My previous blog “Aristotelian Concepts and the Hunger of
Modern Wisdom” and “Justice in the Mind of Sandel (A book Review Series
Part 1a)” will give you a preview of how modern day politics and governance
refer almost all the philosophical references from the era of Aristotle and
Plato. Thus, I came to a notion that governance
in the Mediterranean era can or may be applicable in our topsy-turvy governance
of today. I’m also inclined with the
political views of Napoleon Bonaparte that his expertise in Mathematics and
love of measurement gives him an attitude of preciseness and exact view of
politics and governance. His dear appreciation
to the leadership of Nero and Alexander gave Napoleon the courage to his majestic
conquest in Europe, The Mediterranean, and Asia Minor. The power and prestige of the Greeks in the
time of the Mediterranean era and to include the political influence of Rome
proves that Emperors and Kings are much effective in public governance.
Trade and business across borders are much
easier to negotiate knowing that business negotiations are only done by
Kingdoms to negotiate. Comparing it
today, the complex protocols of democratic form of government will allow
trading much slower and a lot of abuses in terms of border tariffs granting the
fact that leaders of the democratic form of government are voted by the people and that sometimes
corruption and abuses will occur.
Mostly, some public officials in a democratic form of government are
just voted in their office without any background of their legislative
work. They are just in their office
because they are popular to the people. Some superstars became senators, and
some boxers became senators too. The
ironic part of public service in a democratic setup is that to be able for a
person to be in high public office needs only popularity and corruption. No CV or Resume needed just like the Mc
Donalds waiter. Thus, Public officials
in democratic governments rely on their battalions of lawyers to execute and
formulate laws. On and on, national projects will become slower in execution
compared during the time of the Emperors and Kings in the Mediterranean era.
Blood and War
ABSOLUTISM AND GOOD GOVERNANCE:
The form of government that the Kings and Emperors are
following at that time is Absolutism.
This system of government in a positive way allow national mega projects
to be done immediately only for the good of the empire or kingdom. No delay no corruption that is why Pyramids
in Egypt are the fruit of absolutism that democratic form of government today
cannot even make one pyramid infrastructure.
Many Kingdoms in the world made magnificent project out of absolutism
not by democratic way of government.
Another good example that we can consider is the Great Wall of China
that was made by the Chinese Dynasties long time ago. Today even the people’s republic of China has
a hard time to maintain the structure of the wall how much more when the
Ancient Dynasties of China made the Great Wall with only the simple machines at
hand. Vikings build ships, Rome build
mega engineering irrigation so as with the Egyptians. “Build Build Build” National government
projects are more effective with the absolutism form of government that national
budget can be focused according to the needed project of the national
community.
DEMOCRACY AND THE ECONOMIC DOWNTURN:
The biggest economic disaster that the US government committed
is the economic bubble that I discussed in my previous blog “Aristotelian Concepts and the Hunger of
Modern Wisdom” and “Justice in the Mind of Sandel”. With the complex
system of democracy corruption can easily creep in. Many “intelligent” politicians will brilliantly
find some legal angles that they can pursue their selfish motives while they
are in their temporary power. Thus
Professor Michael Sandel argued the Morality that the government of US incurred
during the time of US bubble crisis in the case of Enron, AIG and many other
conglomerate US companies that is deemed liable to the US economy. Thus, Professor Sandel Still refer to the
fundamental concepts of the Greek Philosopher Aristotle and the moral rights of
the people. Do you think that the
concepts of Aristotle then is more effective if we are going to use it in our
national and international legislations?
Think about the mega projects of UN in Africa for example many years had
passed the picture of the hungry children in Africa are still the same picture
that we can see in our televisions.
Do
you think democracy must also refer from the absolutism form of government from
the past? It seems that today we are
suffering the setbacks of democracy but we don’t have any choice because
democratic form of government is modern and highly used around the world. Moreover, during the Mediterranean time
mentioned in the book of David Abulafia, People in Mediterranean countries
experienced climate change dilemma that volcanoes erupted and civilization in
the Mediterranean was vastly affected.
As a result, migration from kingdoms to other kingdoms happened to save
human race.
During that time of the Mediterranean era technology and
education is also well supported by the kingdoms and empires. Thus, the school
and the Lyceum of Aristotle has the inspiration not only from his mentors but
also from Kings. In fact, I mentioned in
my blog “Aristotelian Concepts and
the Hunger of Modern Wisdom” that King Amyntas’s Son King Philip II
wants to have one on one tutoring with Aristotle. The Kingdom of Troy likewise leaves a controversial
story to the world history. In this epic
story leaves a concrete evidence that nationalistic solidarity can be seen in
an imperial form of government. The lustful
motives of Helen who became Helen of Troy caused the war of the Mediterranean
that allow Agamemnon to rally other kingdoms to attacked Troy. But as a result the Kingdom of Troy solidly
supported Helen as the new adopted Princess of Troy.
TECHNOLOGY:
Warfare technology at that time has started to upgrade even
then during the time of the Vikings. But
during the time of the Greeks the technology of Alloy is the craze in terms of
producing light armory. Indeed, if we
recollect the history of Alexander, he allow his soldiers and Special Forces to
use the technology of alloy for light armory.
Short swords with light shields will allow his soldiers to move swiftly
with precision. In terms of arts and
business the discovery of pottery technology started and continuously upgraded
to a more expensive porcelain jar collection that even Chinese porcelain of
today are one ancient collectibles that everyone wants to have. Finally, the colorful lifestyle of the Mediterranean
era can be a pattern for our modern day governance and public management. If Michael Sandel always refer his
fundamentals of Philosophy from the ancient Greeks how much more if we adopt
some of the vital points in the political system of absolutism. Remember the technology of “Alloy” a
combination of metal is lighter and stronger. Likewise, we can also relate
that to public governance. If we can
create an “Alloy” of laws from the ancient Mediterranean absolutism and the
modern day democratic form of government. If they can survive the climate
change during the Mediterranean era how much more today.
Trade, Spices, & Lust
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