Dear Editor,
For people surviving under oppression, an understanding of the source of political power is essential to winning their freedom. A fourteenth century Chinese parable sheds light on how the few are able to maintain power over many.
In the forests of Chu, a brutal old man lived in luxury by keeping monkeys to serve him. Each morning, he released them from a cage and sent them into the forest to gather fruits. The monkeys were commanded to give him ten per cent of everything they gathered. Failure to obey resulted in merciless beatings. Many monkeys cried and complained, but they continued to serve the master because they were afraid of him. And so, the old man stayed in power.
One day, as they gathered fruits in the forest, a young monkey asked, “did the old man plant the fruit trees”? An older monkey replied, “no, the trees grew naturally; they do not belong to him.”
Suddenly, their eyes were opened, and they realised that their cooperation, obedience and submission were the source of the old man’s power over them. With such enlightenment came anger. That day, when they returned from the forest, their tormentor was sleeping. Enraged, they tore apart the cage in which they were kept, they entered the old man’s cellar, and reclaimed the fruits he has stolen and happily danced into the forest, to their freedom.
Editor, political scientists tell us that the source of political power is the compliance and cooperation of the masses, without such, dictators would politically starve. Indian writer, Krishnalal Shridharani wrote, “the tyrant has the power to inflict only that which we lack the strength to resist.”
Governments, including dictatorships only exist owing to acceptance of their legitimacy by the people. Dictators need the assistance of skilled, knowledgeable persons to help them maintain a stranglehold on state institutions. Oligarchs feed off natural and financial resources, and they require access to economic resources and control mechanisms. Without those, they would have no power to oppress the people.
Moreover, dictators need the masses to fear them. They therefore, openly target courageous people who stand against them. They will do anything to widen their control, reinforce fear and ensure the submission and obedience of the citizens.
Given that political rulers, including dictators, derive their power from the submission and cooperation of the people that they oppress, it follows that withdrawal of such submission and obedience will starve them of power. Without a power base, such regimes will eventually disintegrate.
Oppressed people may reclaim their freedom by refusing to submit. This may be done in many ways. Citizens can withhold their skills, money, expertise and votes. Persons can write letters and blogs, participate in peaceful protest or contribute meals to protestors. Democratic leaders who oppose dictatorships, may hold meetings with citizens, parliamentary committees may convene public hearings, and legislators can move motions and table bills. If people want freedom they must be creative, both individually and collectively.
Many peoples around the world exist under political oppression; North Korea and Syria are well known examples. But totalitarian societies do not appear overnight. Instead, freedoms are whittled away, rights are overlooked and laws are disregarded by the rulers. Resources are squandered or stolen, state-owned land is given away or sold, until one day, nothing is left for the masses.
People who live under such conditions can change things, if they realise that their cooperation is the source of their oppressors’ power.
Yours faithfully,
Mark DaCosta
