In the United States, we had a Tea Party because we were
objecting to a government that was taxing us without representation. This began a battle that became a war that
became a question – is self-government possible?
Plato wrote about the City State in the Republic and
suggested that the order of the citizens soul should be modeled on the
organization of the ideal state, and the state, in turn, should be ruled by the
citizen who most closely resembled the ideal State.
Freud was much more realistic. He, too, believed that civilization would
mirror the person, but the people that he knew intimately were complicated
critters who were driven by very basic biological needs that could, at best, be
diverted to higher purposes. When this
happens, it is for the good of all, but the individual does not get all that he
would, especially if he were strongest.
In order for the individual (or the state) to function optimally when working in a civilized context, it must divide against itself. This is where Freud's ego versus the id emerges. And it is where a governing body that "rules" over the population comes in. When the ego simply capitulates to the id, or the governing body does not exercise restraint, chaos ensues.
In order for the individual (or the state) to function optimally when working in a civilized context, it must divide against itself. This is where Freud's ego versus the id emerges. And it is where a governing body that "rules" over the population comes in. When the ego simply capitulates to the id, or the governing body does not exercise restraint, chaos ensues.
We are blessed to have governor in Ohio who is pre-tea party
Republican. He believes, unlike our
president, that the executive’s job is to govern. Every day during this crisis, Mike DeWine
takes the podium at 2:00. In calm tones
and with an interpreter for the deaf, he describes what steps have been taken
by his government and by the people of his state to address the Corona Virus
situation.
Today he noted the manufacturers that have been able to
shift on relatively short notice to produce products that are needed in our
state and elsewhere to address the pandemic.
He highlighted the start of production today of face masks that will be
produced at the rate of 5,000 per day by a company that had been working to
produce unrelated products.
He then went on to proclaim – in understated and sober terms
– that we are doing much better than the predictions had suggested that we
might. He gave the credit for this to
the people of the state of Ohio who have engaged much more aggressively in
social distancing than those who came up with the models had expected that they
would. He cautioned us that we need to
continue doing this for the foreseeable future, but he also let us know that
his staff was beginning to work on plans for how we get from here to a state of
normalcy when that can occur.
He spoke genuinely, forthrightly and from the heart. He could have taken credit for how well have
done. In one poll, his leadership of
Ohio led him to be rated the best governor in responding to the crisis. But he genuinely thanked the people of Ohio
for taking this situation seriously. Later
in day, the President read from a script thanking the American people, but his
insincerity was tangible.
This Republican governor harks back to a time before the tea
party hijacked the party. He represents
a politics as the act of governing – of slowing and modulating the energy of
the state so that the state as a whole functions optimally. This requires sacrifice on the part of
individuals. And, when this sacrifice is
shared, there is a sense of shared ownership of the outcome.
It also relies on the individuals to police themselves. In an earlier talk, the governor, when asked by a reporter whether police would pull people over to give them tickets for disobeying the law, the governor said that laws have always served an educative function. They tell us what is right or wrong. Thankfully we generally choose to obey the law.
It also relies on the individuals to police themselves. In an earlier talk, the governor, when asked by a reporter whether police would pull people over to give them tickets for disobeying the law, the governor said that laws have always served an educative function. They tell us what is right or wrong. Thankfully we generally choose to obey the law.
Meanwhile, the President, as he often is, was late to
deliver his daily address. In his daily
addresses, he has blamed others for his failings and provided false
solace. He has downplayed the threat
rather than acknowledging it. He has
undermined the role of government in governing in this crisis and throughout his
presidency. He has actively worked to dismantle the agencies that would limit our functioning.
Our governor is justifiably proud of the citizens who have engaged
in self-restraint. I heard a French psychoanalysis express similar pride (and not a little disbelief) at the French self-restraint, noting this is not considered a national trait. But it was Jacque Rousseau who called attention
to the need for a social contract, and our founding fathers heeded that
call. We choose to be citizens. And we restrain ourselves because it is in
our best interests to work together – not at cross purposes.
This president appeals to our darker angels. He appeals to our belief that our unchecked
actions will bring us greater reward.
This is true in the very short term.
And certainly if one has the levers of power at his disposal, one can
use them to his own benefit. But should
those who have been promised they will be used for them experience themselves
as being disenfranchised and not helped, they will not restrain themselves –
and there will be hell to pay for anyone who has disillusioned them. And this president has disillusioned those
who have had faith in him.
Trump, ironically, embodies the unconstrained Freudian human. He acts out of self-interest alone. Those who would also act without restraint –
who would make the world according to their own desires – have identified with
him and felt he was their champion.
Freud maintained that following the rule of law was the
first pre-requisite to civilization.
Trump’s ability to flout legislative law has emboldened him to believe
that he can flout the laws of nature. He
disregards advice from those who have studied those laws.
In flouting legislative law, Trump has been able to count on
political power to keep the legislators from enforcing their own laws. He imagines himself to be able to hold the
same sway over natural law, but in this he is proving to be sadly mistaken.
Unfortunately we are all paying for his hubris. This is in the process of becoming a national
tragedy.
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