04.26.08
A Look at the Axis of Politics
In my article, The Axis of Politics, I explained how politics is often viewed from the axis of power, but that four other axes are implicitly taken into consideration when dealing with any political issue: authority, identity, rights and freedom.
In this article I would like to look at how these axes come into play in politics.
The Primary Axis
Political outlooks usually demonstrate what axis one considers to be the most important of these axes. There is usually one or two axes that a political view focuses on, and the role of the other axes is either undermined or completely ignored. However, this does not mean that the ignored axes are absent from the picture. It only means that they did not receive the attention they deserve. This is especially true since power has had close to a monopoly on our political thinking, even though we may not be aware of it.
For example, democracy is often advertised as “power to the people,” yet the rights of minorities are often overlooked. The focus is on recognizing the power people have to bring about change in their countries, without considering the limits of this power, or the consequences of a democratic system. The issue of democracy, alone, can be approached from different angles, placing the focus on the different political axes.
One can make a case for democracy by pointing out that any policies that are democratically enacted have the consent of the people and are, therefore, authoritative, without the need to resort to force or any display of power.
Others might view democracy as a battle between competing factions (identities), and see democracy as being oppressive towards minorities, because their views and interests might not be properly represented.
There are also those who do not place so much emphasis on the right to vote and the “will of the majority” as they do on the right to freedom of speech and association. They demand that any implementation of democracy in a country should take into account the rights of the individual to express his views and to cast his vote based on his own beliefs, without his rights being limited by what the majority might wish to dictate. That is, even though democracy recognizes the authority of the people, it cannot undermine the rights of the citizens.
Some people choose to highlight the failures of a democratic system in protecting the rights of its citizens, considering such failures a restriction on the freedom citizens are meant to enjoy.
The focus (or primary axis) in a political outlook plays a major role in the development of that outlook, and the extent to which the other axes will be taken into consideration.
There are some political outlooks that, by their nature, place more emphasis on one or two axes over all others. Dictatorship places a great deal of emphasis on power and authority. Feminism places its emphasis primarily on identity (by gender) and power. Liberalism places its emphasis on rights and freedom. Theocracy places its emphasis on (divine) authority. Nationalism places its emphasis on identity.
When considering any political outlook, you must identify where the emphasis is placed, and what the outlook’s opinion of the other axes is.
The Definition of Each Axis
Political outlooks differ mostly on their definition of each axis. Rights are defined in a number of ways, which are often contradictory. Capitalism regards private property a right, whereas Communism regards property the right of the public. Power can be defined in military terms or in political terms (e.g. the power of the vote). Authority can be seen to belong to God, the government or the people. Identity can be defined based on race, gender, nationality, culture, religion, etc.
To determine whether you agree or disagree with any political outlook, you must first determine whether you agree with the definition given to each axis. What is considered power? Who has authority? How are people identified? What are the rights of the citizens, and does the government have rights? What is the freedom the citizens are entitled to?
By looking at where the focus of a political outlook lies and how it defines its terms, you can come to a better understanding of its aims and potential consequences. It is meaningless to rally behind a candidate that calls for “justice” or “freedom” without knowing what he means by them.
