Growth Online > Knowledge Base > Society's Growth  >  New Insights into Governance New Insights into Governance (Leadership, Governance, Democracy, Politics, etc.) by Roy Posner and MSS Introduction to Page Leadership Governance Democracy Politics Other   INTRODUCTION TO PAGE (top)   In this section of the Growth Online Knowledge Base, we present our original thoughts, as well as links to our original articles on the Society's Growth topic of "New Insights into Governance." (If you wish, you can see our other Society's Growth categories.)   Leadership (top)   Impersonal Commitment that Sends One to the Top When an individual makes an impersonal [i.e. no personal ambition intended] commitment to his country, the country seeks him out and elevates him to leadership. (paraphrase of MSS) Leader as Front of Rising Tide A leader of a nation doesn't rise so much because of his talent, charm, and knowledge, but because he represents a rising tide in the society. E.g. Clinton in the US represented the Baby Boomers. What rising tide does you leader represent?   Leaders rise to power as a result of a compelling rising tide in society. The individual represents an emerging element of society, and that is what pushes that person to the top as leader.     The Inspired Leader (Beyond the Social Influence) The inspired leader acquires the skills, attitudes and values of the social collective but does not allow their attitudes or expectations to limit his vision, aspirations or actions. He becomes a true vital individual who acts on the society expressing his individual inspiration rather than acting out the social formula. He becomes a leader like Gandhi. (MSS-GJ) Best Ways to Serve Your Country It is by being sincere, courageous, enduring and honest that you can best serve your country, make it one and great in the world. (The Mother) Leadership by Systems, Not Leaders The days of individual leadership are gone and what we find now is impersonal leadership in the form of constructive systems. (MSS, N. Asokan) The Individual is Becoming the New World Leader After the World War, the world has not thrown up a leader of world stature. After the procession of intellectuals who wanted to shape the world according to their ideas - Rousseau, Voltaire, Marx, Russell, Sartre - in the last twenty-five years no single intellectual has attained their stature. Leadership in war and thought has passed away from the collective. This is a phase of social evolution where the INDIVIDUAL emerges. Presently we have a leaderless world. It only means the individual is coming into his own. We see more and more the initiative of thinking is moving to the public, which means the individual is becoming more responsible to the nation. It is high time that the citizen, at least mentally, must take greater responsibility for the future of the country. We do see the phenomenon of public opinion being taken into greater account. The saga of great leaders has gone and the era of the individual is being born. Mind cannot offer that leadership, as even intellectuals of that caliber are vanishing. It is for each individual to become a thinker of the nation's political future. It is better that that individual is the Spiritual Individual who invokes the Spirit and lives by that Spirit. (MSS, abridged) Leader Creates Higher Harmonies A great politician is not just someone who takes an initiative or extracts the best of both sides on an issue, but is able to create a resolution at a higher level that both opposing sides can understand and benefit from. This is true for any leader, manager, person of influence, etc. It is the essence of what we mean by harmony. Wisdom and Strength Practiced by Leader No leader has ever attempted successfully in practice to reconcile wisdom and strength in action. (MSS) Structureless Power Nehru presided over the government [of India]. Azad presided over the Congress. But Gandhiji was neither in the government nor in the party. Nehru and Azad both obeyed him. His power over the government as well as the party came not from external power, but from inner Power. The power of Gandhiji was structureless and for that reason was more powerful. (MSS) Valuing Spirit Takes One To Fame in Certain Domains Whether one is in politics or administration or public life, one rises to the acme of true fame he does not seek if his values are spiritual. Leaders Opinions, Views Defers to Reality of Times Despite his or her values, ideals -- whether they be positive or negative -- the leader of the nation is overwhelmed by the reality of his times. The events of Nature take precedence over one's beliefs. One does what Nature beckons.   Great Leadership & Emotional Intelligence -What makes a leader great? A commanding presence? Technical brilliance? The drive to work 80 hours a week? Or spending thirty minutes each day in self-reflection? The answer is self-reflection. Follow that up with highly trained listening skills, persistent optimism and a bit of empathy and you have a leader who's not only great, but superb. -A steady stream of research over the past decade has consistently identified emotional intelligence as a much more powerful predictor of professional success than intelligence or expertise. Highly emotionally intelligent managers retain workers and encourage the productivity and innovation that make a company shine. Instead of trying to micromanage, effective leaders bring people together and inspire them. -You must create an environment where people feel valued to be creative. -Individuals' self-interest diminishes empathy and limits ability to see the big picture. -The most capable leaders demonstrate modesty and even shyness, giving credit to the organization and their co-workers before themselves. -The self-management aspect of emotional intelligence includes acting with honesty and integrity, especially in difficult situations. Executives must be flexible, and know when to walk away. -An executive who surrounds himself with 'yes' men, creates a morally neutered environment. The emotionally intelligent leader, in contrast, is aware of others' feelings and is willing to admit mistakes. -Emotionally intelligent executives maintain accountability and are committed to ethical business practices while they increase a company's profits. (East Bay Business Times, extracted)   Negative Leaders Reverse to Succeed It is often the case that leaders of limited or even negative capacities succeed by reversing their false instincts in the face of life's abundant opposition. The Stark Reality (Corruption) They say power corrupts. Power changes the view or vision. One who has been vehemently speaking against corruption, begins to be corrupt when he comes into that power. At that time, he feels it is right to be corrupt. The President of the university Teachers’ Union was elected to the Syndicate from the Academic Council. The moment he became a member of the Syndicate, he began to behave as the Management, to the utter surprise of the union members. These are persons who FEEL the immediate environment and do not have a formed personality of their own. To him, it was right to espouse the cause of the teachers while he was their President and it was equally right to plead the cause of Management while on the Syndicate. That was his logic. When the stark reality faces, his face undergoes a great change. (MSS) Accepted Givens of Modern Life are Being Thrown Out Several such statements — a leader is born, intelligence does not grow, the throne is not for us, you must be born into the royal family - are giving way to the modern realities. In modern times, all kinds of people are becoming heads of state, PhD is awarded to people not innately intelligent, based on training. It means leadership and intelligence are acquired. (MSS) The Gorbachev Miracle Gorbachev single handedly ended the Cold War. He also did something unprecedented in the history of the world; he enabled a revolution that reversed things to the opposite while in power, while representing that old system which he destroyed. And he did it bloodlessly, which is perhaps even more remarkable. It is a sign of the Force at work for sure, which creates always in entirely new, unprecedented ways. The Force and Churchill Churchill won the second world war through the spiritual Force (from Sri Aurobindo) that was sent to him, which he did not know about.   Leadership is Strength that is Authority All methods will ultimately conform to one rule or confirm one rule. Whether it is a person, or a party or a sector of production or a religious group that comes to power, they do so by strength that is authority. Maybe the strength is his own or is supplied to him by other groups. (MSS) Source of Social Leadership Social leadership emerges from the productive sector. The more prominent that sector is, the more eminent the leader. Destruction of Those with Lack of Strength Good and even great people are often assassinated because they lack strength. Again perhaps Jesus is an example. There are many others. Often these great people are betrayed for lack of strength, as happened to Gorbachev when he was harshly thrown out of office after saving the nation and the world.   Society is cruel.   Often great beings are assassinated because of a darkness that surfaces in them, such as when Lincoln is assassinated after backtracking in his mind about the harshness of how he treated the South thought the South had been evil in their slavery; or when Indira Gandhi gave in to her mother's vindictiveness to being betrayed by her husband, when Indira allowed herself to be swayed by her foolish son to allow for forced sterilizations. there are many examples. Untitled The art of molding public opinion is a subtle art of great dexterity. (MSS) [How?]   Society Evaluates the Politician not the True Leader A leader is valued (or condemned) for his political moves, which is a vital reaction of society to a vital leadership. Likewise, a true statesman is often ignored for his actions of truth that help the society for its own sake; an indicator that society is vitally centered, and thus like politics itself is false at its center of awareness.   On the Vital Worship of a Leader Unformed vital personalities are ready to adore the first dominant person they meet. They look for a leader. When one comes their way, they are ready. In such a population, hero-worship thrives. Such people easily switch over from one leader to another. All that they want is someone to worship, adore, hold up as an ideal. The longing heart finds an adorable ideal, not necessarily that there is something to be adored. (MSS)   Gorbachav Solution as Higher Harmony The Gorbachev solution that ended the Cold War was not a compromise of conservative and liberal political values of the West, but an action of a higher harmony that both views could relate to; strength towards the Soviets that would appeal to conservatives, and peaceful solution and outcome that the liberals favored, though in reality it was an integrated higher harmony that included yet transcended both. In this way it was a creative solution from the causal realm of the Force moving in the world.   Statesmanship Compared to Objectivity about One's Self Analogous to being a statesman, i.e. one who cares for the well-being of society, for the greater good above party prejudices, is to want to improve those aspects of one's self that need improvement, shunning our own sensibilities, prejudices, opinions, et al for the greater good of our evolving self.   Emergence of Lower Individuals During Reversals for that Society In times of reversal in society, such as economic recession or social revolts, buffoons rise in prominence. Paralleling the Individual and Life of Society Interestingly we can correlate the events and movements, particularly at the turning points, of the earlier life of that individual and the earlier life of that society in a parallel of one to one correspondences. Unprincipled, Self-Seeking Leaders in the Cream of the Population of Nations The cream of the population of nations is often under unprincipled, self-seeking leaders of the society or government. (MSS) Gandhi & Patriotism Man loves himself, only himself. His love of the family, though selfless to that extent, is also basically love of his own self. It further extends to his community, and his country. His love of his country and the courage he exhibits in sacrificing for her is termed as patriotism. Gandhi is a soul great in itself because he aroused in the Indians the emotion of patriotism while they were in love with the culture of the British and were ashamed of themselves. (MSS) Also See Thoughts on Business Leadership MSS Articles on Leadership Emergence of National Leadership True Leader and Public Opinion    Governance (top)   See Thoughts on Potentials of World Parliament MSS Article: Forms of Government; Shades of Democracy, Freedom, etc. The Will that Enables Success Beyond a Government Bill Though a legislative or other government or institutional bill that is of great benefit to the community may pass, it may fail in the course of time because it was undertaken reluctantly. The collective's will is the determinant and guarantees, where bills only indicate a potential. Beyond bills there is the power of the Will that has a life of its own. A Right (e.g. Education, Equality) is Powerful Only When It Has Commensurate Power, Knowledge and Capacity Democracy was ushered in and every citizen was accorded the right to choose the ruler as well as become the ruler if he is chosen. The granting of the right is great, but the right becomes meaningful only when it carries the commensurate Power, Knowledge and Capacity. Universal education disseminates knowledge, while Power remains the close preserve of the throne as well as the elite. As science advances, technology develops, resulting in various modern products that make life elegant and enjoyable. Equality as a right is intangible and nebulous. Palatial buildings, status symbols like car, capacity to contact VIPs, etc. are symptoms of power, even symbols of power. These were the exclusive possession of the elite and the royalty. Advancing technology enables the common man to possess and enjoy what only the elite and royalty possessed so far. In that sense, technology brings the exclusive power of the elite to be distributed among all. Technology alone cannot do it. Someone has to convert that technology into a product such as a car so that it reaches all. Thus, commerce is the economic equivalent of democracy in politics. Commerce is the social ideal of equality. (MSS) Evolution of Organizations We can see a progression of organization of various institutions as they move from physical to vital to mental to spiritual In nations of the past -- e.g. Japan, China, and European nations long ago etc. -- there were often two armies of that nation fighting against one another for power. This became [evolved into] the political parties of democracy. This is a movement from the physical to the vital, with an emerging mental support of idealism. Still the two parties (today) are often at each other's throats, as they are intensely attached to their own position; a vital (still somewhat close to physical) tendency. One possibility for the future is for the two party system to be replaced by two groups, each holding various points of view, who come together to collaborate to find common ground, or even better, new fresh ideas, policies, possibilities, etc. They are not attached, or are at least are far less attached to their own position, which reflects the mental stage. Perhaps it will be multiple groups who come together for this purpose, or one group with individuals of various points of view. There are many possibilities. At a further stage such individuals can aspire to truly embrace the other side's view, see the wisdom in the opposite view, see the integral relationship between various ideas presented, see the relationship to the whole, to the emerging possibilities, etc. This could be a first movement toward the spirit, i.e. of spiritual mind. Members can even open to the higher power to receive answers, and to gain the cooperation of life; or go within to enable thereafter intuitions of knowledge, etc. etc. The specifics I am presenting are speculations, though we can anticipate the possibilities along an arc from physical through spiritual. If we can thoroughly know the history of a particular organization, including its segment of the arc to the present, we can sense what that organization could become in its next highest iteration; or at least individuals could sense through their new spiritual sense what they individually can do to bring a further integration of the members, of the ideas, of the forms of organization. This approach can be adopted for understanding, evaluation, and recommendations for any organization. Perhaps a discipline of Knowledge of Emerging Potentials could be developed based on a mental and mento-spiritual foundation. Expert systems or other new forms of software could prove very useful. [MSS Comments] The rule the whole is more than the sum of the parts can help one cross the border at each transition. Values in Government The values of governments are the values of any organization or institution. Several values (or value-oriented capacities) in government that jump out are: efficiency, honesty, responsiveness, leadership (i.e. believing in leading), collaborative-capacity, problem-solving, authority, compassion, strength, fairness, respect for the individual, valuing education, progress, etc., getting things done, following the will of the people, compromise, valuing the progress of the individual, even the growth of the individual, protection, security, support, open to the possibilities, valuing planning, concern for the future of the people, valuing law and authority, tolerance, diversity, unity (within gov't, and in nation), the real truth of things (not just the surface), teamwork, camaraderie, opportunity, embracing all sides of the truth (not just one limited side), inspiring others, opening up opportunities for the people, etc.   Best Ways to Serve Your Country It is by being sincere, courageous, enduring and honest that you can best serve your country, make it one and great in the world. (The Mother)   On Democracy (top)   Its Spiritual Source and Nature | Reflects the Emergence of Our Mentality Evolution, Spread of Democracy | Other   Its Spiritual Source and Nature Spiritual Nature of Democracy Every man born is equal is the basis of democracy. It utters a spiritual truth that in his depth, man is spiritual, and all spirits are equal. (MSS) Birth of Freedom and Democracy Sri Aurobindo says that the earliest preoccupation of man is the search for God, Freedom, Light and Immortality. That is man’s spiritual quest. This is reflected in his social life as the quest for equality in Knowledge, Power, Status and Capacity. The first visible sign was Martin Luther’s break with the Church by which he proclaimed to the world that every man born is equal in the eyes of God. The priest’s special right to represent God to others was denied. Man, the Individual, was thus emancipated from the thraldom of Church, the organisation. Kings ruled the nations. The divine right theory sanctioned their right to rule. Democracy was ushered in and every citizen was accorded the right to choose the ruler as well as become the ruler if he is chosen. (MSS) Democracy  and Fulfillment of Human Potential Democracy and freedom is the basis for the full unfolding of human potential. (MSS) Reflects the Emergence of Our Mentality Democracy is Indicator of Mental Stage of Development The Mental stage of social development is indicated by an increase in freedom, democracy, mental inquisitiveness, human fulfillment, and higher levels of organization. (MSS) Ascendancy of Mind and Democracy In addition to individual expression, the ascendancy of mind has expressed at the societal level as well. It expresses in the great movements in the last century that have led to greater human liberty and freedom; to the emergence of democracy throughout the world; and to the growing sense among the general population that every person deserves to fulfill his potential in his own lifetime. Democracy in Plane 2 of Mind Democracy emerges in the second plane of mind, (Vital Mental); i.e. where sentiments, values, and ideals develop. Social Evolution & Democracy Humanity has evolved from a society mainly concerned with physical realities, such as survival, fears and threats from without, and complete deference to authority, to one engaged in vital interests, such as expansion, trade, travel, social interaction with others, and the concern for our own individual needs, wants, and desires, to the present emerging mental stage where peace, freedom, democracy, the fulfillment and empowerment of the individual, the emergence of fast, complex organization, and the extraordinary power of thought to shape our world for endless progress emerges. (MSS)   Evolution, Spread of Democracy Democracy Greece is where democracy was born. There was the British patronage of democracy. Martin Luther and Democracy The first visible sign [of emergence of democracy] was Martin Luther’s break with the Church by which he proclaimed to the world that every man born is equal in the eyes of God. The priest’s special right to represent God to others was denied. Man, the Individual, was thus emancipated from the thraldom of Church, the organisation. (MSS) From Monarchy to Democracy -Monarchy became democracy when the entire population made this mental progress from their physical existence -Monarchy considered the common man's aspiration to the throne as treason while democracy accorded him not only the right to choose his 'king' but also the right to become one. (MSS) Democracy and Development through Internal Motivation The transition of society from monarchy to democracy marks the replacement of external authority by internal motivation as the driving force for social development.  (MSS) Democracy, The Industrial Revolution, and Social Development The end of feudalism in Western Europe was an important contributor to the onset of the mercantile era and the founding of the great European commercial empires. The further transition from monarchy to democracy stabilized the internal order and provided the social foundations for the Industrial Revolution. It stimulated innovation by encouraging the free exchange of ideas and provided incentives for greater individual effort by legally safeguarding property from arbitrary confiscation. (MSS How Democracy has Shifted Power The further transition from monarchy to democracy has shifted power from concentration in a tiny aristocratic elite to distribute it over a large number of elected political leaders and administrative officials and through a increasingly complex system of laws and judicial mechanisms. At the same time democracy has extended the authority of the state enormously. In addition to maintenance of law and order and national defense, governments today exercise extensive and detailed authority over almost every aspect of life, including all forms of transportation and communication, manufacturing, export and import, banking, investment, employment, health, insurance, zoning, construction, broadcasting and preservation of the environment. Government in most countries today is the single largest employer and most of these employees exercise a measure of authority over some aspect of social life. (MSS) Democracy and Social Progress Since 1980, a democratic revolution has been spreading through Latin America, Eastern Europe and, most recently, Africa, freeing hundreds of millions of people from repression by authoritarian regimes. As peace provides a secure external environment for international development, democracy provides a stable and conducive environment within countries for more rapid social progress. Democracy raises human aspirations. It encourages individuals to take active initiative for their own advancement. It facilitates freer and wider social interactions. It releases greater social energy. It vastly increases the dissemination of information and the multiplication of new organizations. As the transition from monarchy to democracy was a catalyst for rapid economic advancement of Western countries over the past three centuries, the spread of democratic institutions today opens up greater possibilities for global expansion. (MSS) Democracy and the Aspiration for Progress Spurred by the end of colonialism and the diffusion of democracy, since then this revolution has circled the globe and ignited a clamor for education, higher levels of consumption and opportunities for advancement among billions of people. The universal awakening of this urge for progress is another compelling reason why the speed of development is increasing so rapidly. (MSS) The Majority & Minority in Democracy -Rule of majority is the strategy of democracy. -Democracy is the rule of majority to which the minority consents mentally. (MSS Democracy as Catalyst for Social Development Peace, social stability, democracy, the increasing velocity of social transactions, the rate of adoption of new technologies, and global influences and opportunities are catalysts for social development. (MSS)   Other Non-Warring of Liberal Democracies Liberal democracies do not go to war with each other.  Self-defence is an exception. (MSS) Democracy for Uneducated, Non-Secular Can Be Dangerous The spread of education and democracy after 1950 leading to a veritable democratic revolution in South America, Eastern Europe, Asia and most recently Africa has extended social freedoms to millions of previously suppressed people around the globe. This, coupled with rising levels of economic freedom and prosperity, has released people from near total preoccupation with physical survival and freed their energies to express previously suppressed tendencies. These events also illustrate the inadequacy and potential danger of democratic freedom when extended to populations with very low levels of education or to those lacking a history or commitment to secularism. Democracy without education and secularism can become a breeding ground in which anachronistic, parochial or communal ideas flourish. (MSS) Beyond Democracy to Spirit in Human Evolution Science, economic development, democracy, religion, and other institutions and ideas and ideals are alone incapable of addressing the evolutionary needs of the emerging collective life. If the gnostic beings help establish this integral, unifying gnostic consciousness on earth, it would provide a far greater power and knowledge than mental man has for understanding and acting on the needs of the emerging collective. (MSS) ICPD Article -- Social Origins of Democracy   Politics (top)   Political Wisdom -Wisdom is the ultimate goal for the mind. Political wisdom is its extension to the affairs of the nation. -To be wise, one should cease to look at the affairs of the world from one’s point of view. One must cease to be subjective. -Objective knowledge of the affairs of the nation raises wisdom to political wisdom. -Indian wisdom tells us that such great philosophical truths behind the history of nations are the same as those behind our own personal life. It is there we can lay our finger on the ultimate truth unerringly and with spiritual benefit. We can know of events in our own life where our trust has been betrayed. It is the right psychological raw material to work on. -We must know the self-existent spiritual GOOD beyond our own knowledge which is of good and bad to gain the objective view. (MSS, extracted and paraphrased)   Unprincipled, Self-Seeking Leaders in the Cream of the Population of Nations The cream of the population of nations is often under unprincipled, self-seeking leaders of the society or government. (MSS) Beyond the Political Opposites in Society, Enabling Rapid, Vast, Smooth, Creative Progress In the USA as elsewhere, there is a two-party system. It is an indicator of democracy, as opposed to the oppression of monarchy and aristocracy. And yet it is flawed relative to what it can be. The Democrats are passionate about ending poverty, and many of their policies are very helpful, but many are flawed. Their hearts are in the right place, if not all of their ideas. The Republicans want to cut taxes, which is one of a series of fine ways to stimulate the economy, and yet behind is a virulent selfishness and greed in that approach that is cut off from the social aspirations of people. Each side has positives that are wrapped in negatives, or negatives wrapped in the positive. When you also add in the political instinct, it can turn poisonous, as useful policy is abandoned for doing what is expedient and in the interest of that party. One of the ways America and similar countries progress is through the opposition of parties that are each flawed. And yet we now progress through the interaction of these two conflicting and flawed opposites. This is Nature's way of progress through complementary contradictions, here expressed in governance. She also expresses elsewhere -- in fact everywhere. E.g. in business through a traditional opposition of executives and the remainder of the staff. Through conflicts between nations; through conflicts between lovers; even of ideas. Everywhere we look, we will see such complementary opposites that appear to be in opposition, in duality. As we rise in consciousness, the dualistic nature of progress dissipates, and there is growth and development in society through unity that is also exceedingly diverse. We release ourselves from a particular side to embrace the Whole. (Where is the Whole? It is the sum of all the truths of an object, and then some.) Life progresses in this more conscious way through positive energies only, not through an incessant mixture of positive and negative. Even the appearance of the negative in this new consciousness is seen as positive in disguise. As a result, progress is exceedingly fast, is exceedingly smooth, is vast, and infinitely creative -- replacing the slow and difficult way of Nature that is our current way. What is this consciousness that sees the world in this new way? It occurs when we take to rationality certainly, moving away from our superstition and falsehood. More than that it has the spiritual touch, which expresses several ways: (1) a movement out of ego and separateness; (2) a giving up of exclusive points of view and the tendency to take sides; (3) a connection within that sees harmonies instead of dualities outside one's self; that even sees the unity emerging from conflicting opposites; (4) that acts in such a way that opposition is never created. It is for the future life, but we can each begin now by connecting with the calm and serenity and joy and love of our inner being and True Self. We discover this spiritual Being by moving away from the surface of life and connecting with the silence within. Evolution of Organizations We can see a progression of organization of various institutions as they move from physical to vital to mental to spiritual In nations of the past -- e.g. Japan, China, and European nations long ago etc. -- there were often two armies of that nation fighting against one another for power. This became [evolved into] the political parties of democracy. This is a movement from the physical to the vital, with an emerging mental support of idealism. Still the two parties (today) are often at each other's throats, as they are intensely attached to their own position; a vital (still somewhat close to physical) tendency. One possibility for the future is for the two party system to be replaced by two groups, each holding various points of view, who come together to collaborate to find common ground, or even better, new fresh ideas, policies, possibilities, etc. They are not attached, or are at least are far less attached to their own position, which reflects the mental stage. Perhaps it will be multiple groups who come together for this purpose, or one group with individuals of various points of view. There are many possibilities. At a further stage such individuals can aspire to truly embrace the other side's view, see the wisdom in the opposite view, see the integral relationship between various ideas presented, see the relationship to the whole, to the emerging possibilities, etc. This could be a first movement toward the spirit, i.e. of spiritual mind. Members can even open to the higher power to receive answers, and to gain the cooperation of life; or go within to enable thereafter intuitions of knowledge, etc. etc. The specifics I am presenting are speculations, though we can anticipate the possibilities along an arc from physical through spiritual. If we can thoroughly know the history of a particular organization, including its segment of the arc to the present, we can sense what that organization could become in its next highest iteration; or at least individuals could sense through their new spiritual sense what they individually can do to bring a further integration of the members, of the ideas, of the forms of organization. This approach can be adopted for understanding, evaluation, and recommendations for any organization. Perhaps a discipline of Knowledge of Emerging Potentials could be developed based on a mental and mento-spiritual foundation. Expert systems or other new forms of software could prove very useful. [MSS Comments] The rule the whole is more than the sum of the parts can help one cross the border at each transition.   Best Ways to Serve Your Country It is by being sincere, courageous, enduring and honest that you can best serve your country, make it one and great in the world. (The Mother)   Valuing Spirit Takes One To Fame in Certain Domains Whether one is in politics or administration or public life, one rises to the acme of true fame he does not seek if his values are spiritual.   Those Against Corruption Become Corrupt; The Stark Reality They say power corrupts. Power changes the view or vision. One who has been vehemently speaking against corruption, begins to be corrupt when he comes into that power. At that time, he feels it is right to be corrupt. The President of the university Teachers’ Union was elected to the Syndicate from the Academic Council. The moment he became a member of the Syndicate, he began to behave as the Management, to the utter surprise of the union members. These are persons who FEEL the immediate environment and do not have a formed personality of their own. To him, it was right to espouse the cause of the teachers while he was their President and it was equally right to plead the cause of Management while on the Syndicate. That was his logic. When the stark reality faces, his face undergoes a great change. (MSS)   Other (top)     Law in Society   Law Makes Man Civilized; Avoiding Law of the Jungle Man is part of the society, an inseparable part of the society, which functions by LAW. Man is part of the society, an inseparable part of the society, which functions by LAW. It is lawful life that makes us civilised. Without law in the country, it is jungle life where the strong rule by a strong arm. (MSS)   Law that Enables Order, Security in Society Law is the outcome of collective living. Man living all by himself is a law unto himself or the plane of life that generates law does not arise. Living together makes order necessary. That which makes that order possible is law. What each man requires and feels, other men too require. It becomes a public perception. Perception matures into understanding when the mind endorses what it observes. Mind lends its mental force to that concept. An impersonal concept receiving the endorsement of the individual conscience is the birth of a legal necessity. Public conscience too can perceive it, can endorse it and offer its sanction to codify it. It is law. The existence of Man demands peace and order. Existence needs consciousness. Consciousness needs law and order. (MSS)   Ultimate Law On the surface, we see law; behind it is a higher justice. Further beyond lies the world of dharma, which defies law as well as justice. It is the Lord’s Dharma. At its height, it can be only good. (MSS)   Also See Thoughts on Truth   Also See Thoughts on Security in Society       Rights, Human Rights   Man Must Step Forward to Claim All His Rights Man has the right to vote, he has the right to liberty, right of assembly, right to express his opinion and enjoy many other rights. Still, he does not have all the rights that are his due. There are rights granted to him by the government or society as a concession, perhaps in the spirit of condescension or charity. Only when he emerges as an individual, asserts his presence, comes forward to TAKE his rights as his birthright, not as a matter of consideration, will he come into his own RIGHT. [This is as MSS says elsewhere the voicing of the Right of MAN, the individual. -editor] (MSS)   Untitled the rise of democratic forms of government has been the result of a revolutionary shift in the relative importance and positions accorded by society to the individual and to the collective. This shift involved a movement toward a more balanced relationship between the rights and interests of the collective and the rights and interests of individuals. It has resulted in parallel developments in the spheres of philosophy, science, religion, economics, politics, education and social culture. In the intellectual sphere it gave rise to the Renaissance and the Enlightenment, in the field of religion to the Reformation, in economy to the rise of capitalism, in politics to the rise of democracy. (MSS)   Untitled The idea of universe human rights and freedoms which we now identify as the essence of democracy was at first cited as a justification for redistribution of power to the commercial class and only much later as a principle for extending rights and privileges to all citizens. This shift continues today in countries around the world and may not yet have reached its acme in any country. (MSS)   The Invisible Movement of Rights in History, & the Emergence of Spiritual MAN in the 21st Century There is an invisible movement in the air all over the world which espouses the Rights of the oppressed. Now it is the Blacks who are in favour, next it is the women. The street children get their turn. The poor suddenly come into the favour of the world and the whole world sings the chorus of the Right to Food, Right to water, Right to Peace, etc. All types of Rights have emerged as the target for the awakened world. It is a balm to the hearts of idealists and visionaries the world over as the have-nots, downtrodden, the oppressed and the invalids have now their share of the limelight. The UN is the spearhead for most of these movements. The world is awakened enough in her conscience that the world opinion readily swings to this call. This development is imperceptible but unmistakable. I see behind all these urges that MAN is emerging as someone to be counted hereafter. The Spirit in MAN seeks expression, peeps out from its hiding place. The symptoms are well-defined. He who seeks expression is no longer the social man, but the Spiritual Individual. The 21st century will be his century. (MSS)   End of Property Rights & Law of Inheritance The Mother argues for the abolition of property rights and the law of inheritance.  (MSS)   Evolution of Rights Privileges were originally for the leader only. Then the rights got extended to his family -- royal family. Later it was for the nobles and aristocracy, now it is the upper middle class. Finally it must be for all. (MSS)   Rights & Mental Stage of Social Development -The mental stage [of social development] has established the principle of human rights and proclaimed the value of the individual.   -We witness today the confluence of factors that characterize the mental stage – unprecedented political freedom, a global affirmation of the individual and the rights of the common man. (MSS)   Rights to the Common Man This transformation of the political organization of societies which has extended basic human rights at first to the middle class and eventually to the common man. (MSS)   Emergence of Rights in Society Compared to Past -Societies in the past developed by a concentration of benefits of development (knowledge, power, privilege and wealth) among a very small portion or an elite class of its members. They are now distributing more of the achievements of the elite to wider sections of the population out of recognition that this makes the society as whole stronger and more stable. Democratization, universal education, human rights, social security and economic opportunity are expressions of this movement.   -Societies in the past suppressed, exploited or ignored the lower or weaker sections of the population. They are now striving consciously to protect, support and develop those sections through equal rights and equal opportunities for less fortunate individuals and weaker nations. (MSS)   Guaranteed Employment and Right of the INDIVIDUAL Guaranteeing Employment is not one more programme. It is a call to the dormant world to wake up to the Rights of the INDIVIDUAL. It is a magnificent measure. And for the same reason, it will prove to be explosive. (MSS, extracted)   Human Rights & Mental Stage Mental stage has established the principle of human rights and proclaimed the value of the individual. (MSS)   Untitled Democratic governments are those in which fundamental human rights of individual citizens are protected by the collective and in which the views of the population-at-large, not just a ruling elite, are reflected in the actions of government. (MSS)   Untitled The idea of universe human rights and freedoms which we now identify as the essence of democracy was at first cited as a justification for redistribution of power to the commercial class and only much later as a principle for extending rights and privileges to all citizens. This shift continues today in countries around the world and may not yet have reached its acme in any country. (MSS)   Untitled The third stage of social development is one in which the mental component becomes more and more predominant. This stage has three essential characteristics that demarcate it from those that came before – a great increase in the practical application of mind to generate new inventions, in the social application of mind to generate new and higher levels of organization, and in the political application of mind to elevate the status and rights of individual human beings. The first distant origins of this phase in Europe can be traced back to the Renaissance and the Enlightenment, when ideas began to gain freedom from domination by church doctrine and traditional superstitious beliefs. The mental component gained influence after the Reformation, which empowered the individual to seek direct relations with God. It led eventually to the proclamation of the political ideals embodied in the American and French Revolutions and the establishment of human rights, at first in principle and much later in practice. (MSS) Also See Thoughts on History   To Be Categorized   Growth Online Contact Us