Harmony Point #21: Governance

Governance, Maggie, is essentially the set of rules and authorities within the Social Contract, different forms of which determine how Societies function.

Except for a complete absence of order – anarchy – we are talking about highly structured systems like democracies, monarchies, and even authoritarian regimes.

So Governance is just different ways of keeping things from falling apart? Like, without it, everything would be chaotic?

That is true. Without any Governance, it would be every man for himself. Survival of the Fittest.

So, sounds like each type of Governance is just a different way for people in a Society to gain and use power over others.

Consider the various forms of Governance, each with a unique approach to power and control.

Well, I know what a Monarchy is. A single ruler, such as a king or queen, with power inherited through family. And while I’ve heard the word oligarch, honestly I don’t really know what it means.

An Oligarchy is a small, often socially or economically connected group that holds control. It comes from the Greek, and means “the best.” Nowadays, it means the most powerful … by their status or money.

A Democracy is where authority resides with the people, who make decisions directly or through elected representatives, reflecting the will of the majority. How does that differ from a Republic?

A Republic, though similar, places greater emphasis on representation and constitutional protections, safeguarding individual rights through structured law.

Makes sense, the way you explain it.

Now, a Theocracy integrates Governance with religious principles, where leaders rule by divine guidance or religious law.

And yeah, I know about Authoritarianism. It’s when power’s all centered in one authority or a small group. They almost always clamp down on political freedoms. And then Totalitarianism? That takes control to a whole new level, covering every part of public and private life.

Finally, there are Socialist and Communist systems that advocate for community ownership of resources. Socialism supports the community’s control over production and distribution to promote fairness…

Yeah, and Communism sees a classless society where each person contributes and receives based on ability and need.

Each system embodies a distinct balance between individual freedoms and collective control.

And what’s the main point of having these different systems? Seems to me that, except for Anarchy, they each provide some form of Law and Order.

At its best, Governance is about balancing order with freedom. Societies need a level of structure to prevent chaos, but for spiritual growth, each individual requires a degree of liberty—freedom to act and make choices.

I see. So without liberty, people can’t fully pursue their own spiritual paths. It’s like they’re restricted by the system.

True freedom, granted by ALL, is a natural state, while liberty, a more earthly concept, is freedom allowed under governance.

It makes sense what you’re saying. There’s this balance  … of freedom for the individual, and order for all of Society, that Governance needs to find. That allows each person the room to develop.

Systems that restrict liberty – like authoritarian regimes – undermine spiritual freedom and, therefore, limit spiritual growth.

I think, only Democracies can protect individual freedoms, since the power to govern comes from the people themselves.

Harmony Point #22: Democracy

I’ve been giving some thought to all that we’ve been talking about. And when I remind myself that these are the Harmony Points, I remember something you said. That it’s all about Choices!

Very, very good, Maggie. And that is why Democracy is the governance structure most compatible with Spiritual Quests. It is unique in that it protects liberty more robustly than any other system, ensuring each person’s right to choose.

So Democracy is all about letting people decide for themselves, without someone above forcing things?

Precisely. In a Democracy, there are different models: Pure Democracy, where everyone votes on all decisions. This system works in small groups.

Or on limited topics, such as a referendum placed on a ballot?

Now, of course, a Representative Democracy is where people elect proxies to act on their behalf. The United States is the world’s leading example of a highly functional Representative Democracy.

And the Republic is like a safeguard for personal freedoms, even when most people think differently?

Yes, it is a specific form of Democracy that emphasizes individual rights alongside the needs of the community.

So, it balances individual liberty with the functional needs of the whole? Like when there are competing rights?

Democracies allow maximum freedom of choice.

Which aligns with the spiritual concept of Liberty.

Are you aware that the word Liberty is actually an acronym?

No way! What does it stand for?

Two separate, yet complementary thoughts. The first is, Let It Be.

As in, the Beatles song?

Well, Paul was drispered the entire song.

Yeah, I’ve heard him say he received it in a dream.

Back to the message buried within, try your best to interpret those three words from a spiritual perspective. Hint: do you recognize an innocent two-letter word?

Oh my! Be – as in Blossoming Eternal. Am I right?

Go on…

And It? Does that refer to God, to ALL?

Yes.

So, Let It Be is saying to allow God to do His Thing. Let the Universe do its natural expansion. Let Pure Energy flow. Let Love spread. I get it!! Wow. What’s the other phrase?

Everything (or Energy) Runs Through You.

Wait! Let me think it through on my own. So, it’s reminding me that, at Mile Hi we say, “God’s energy flows around you, in you, and through you.”

Can you bring this all back to the meaning of Liberty, in terms of a Democracy?

Well, without sufficient Liberty, one’s ability to choose is weakened. And choice is essential for personal growth.

Do not forget. Freedom is a word to describe a natural state of no constraints. ALL grants both Garbs and Souls complete autonomy through Free Will. We all enjoy Freedom … to choose.

I can see the crucial value of a Democracy as the best Governance form for a Society, if the goal is for its citizens to be free to make independent choices.

Good. But now, I want to underscore that there are two fundamental, underlying considerations that allow Representative Democracies to operate effectively.

I’m listening.

The first consideration in a Representative Democracy is in how the group reaches a consensus decision.

I imagine you’re talking about voting.

Voting plays prominently in America’s governance system. Can you cite a couple examples?

Well, the obvious one is voting … in an election. But then there are juries. And there are votes taken by members of Congress or even on the Courts.

Excellent. And there are variations on how such voting is tabulated. For instance, Majority Rule, Plurality, and Supermajority all represent the will of the people.

What is the other consideration?

That they only function smoothly with compromise. Without Compromise, especially with so many viewpoints, progress is impossible.

So even with all the Diversity and different opinions, Democracy only works if people can find ways to compromise.

Harmony Point #23: America

Maggie, let us move from theory to practice. After all, Democracy is promising indeed, but the devil is in the details.  It is for humans to figure out how a Republic is able to best achieve its divinely-inspired aims.

Divinely-inspired? Are you suggesting that Everly has something to do with America’s success?

Something? How about everything?

No way. Tell me more.

When it comes to Governance, America was meant to be more than just another nation. America was to become a working laboratory for the concept of Representative Democracy.

It was intended as a working model for the world. The idea was that this Republic, through constant improvement, could serve as a prototype of freedom and unity for others to emulate.

So it’s like America was designed to be this big experiment, showing everyone how a democratic Republic should work? I mean, a Representative Democracy.

Precisely. That is why we refer to it as the Spiritual America Model. America  was designed, from its inception, to be a work in progress, that never finishes. It pursues an endless struggle to achieve a more perfect union.

That jives with what we’ve been taught in History. That the Founding Fathers aimed for it to embody liberty, equality, and the opportunity for self-determined success.

Very well. But now I would like to discuss an expression bandied about; the “American Dream.”

What about it?

Let me ask you: why – and, more importantly, how – is America so special.

You mean, this idea that anyone, regardless of their background, can achieve success through hard work, passion, and ingenuity. These qualities draw on inner resources like creativity and resolve, while also requiring the support of community and collaboration.

Yes. But why is that promise so much greater in America than anywhere else on the planet?

It’s like that “secret ingredient,” right? People working together. Even with all their differences, that’s what makes it work.

That’s not it. People work together all around the world. No – what is different here, in America, is … Liberty! Embodied in its ideals of Freedom, Opportunity, and Pursuit of Happiness.

America encourages the inner spirit of genius to manifest in ways not seen anywhere else in the world.

Exactly. Liberty forms the core of this dream. But have you noticed that Liberty sets one free to act on his or her individual Will, while respecting the Liberty of others?

You’re right. And now you’re gonna remind me that all these inspirations come from my Self, right? Creativity, imagination, passion, ingenuity…

Yes, true. But also it draws on resources of the Garb, as well. Tenacity, Conviction, Character, Judgment, Community…

This dream – this American Dream – is what makes America a “shining city on a hill,” a beacon of hope that, through example, shows the world that…

… That Humanity can achieve unlimited possibilities when people are united in purpose.

So America isn’t just about being powerful—it’s supposed to be about showing others a path to Harmony and Freedom.

Well said, Maggie. America, in its highest form, represents the Soul of Humanity—a blend of values that emphasize respect for individual freedom, balanced by a commitment to the common good.

Much has been said, of late, about making America great, again. But I have to wonder how the word greatness is meant. Great … at just what?

I happen to think that its greatness depends on how well successful it is at modeling best practices for any Society. I think that America provides Humanity with hope.

Hope is an interesting word to use. It has been cited various times throughout American history. Historical leaders, like Jefferson and Lincoln, echoed this vision, expressing that true greatness comes from serving as a source of hope and unity for others.

Can you recite any of their quotes? I would like to hear.

Thomas Jefferson expressed the idea that democracy is the best hope for humanity in a letter to John Adams in 1813. He wrote:  “The care of human life and happiness, and not their destruction, is the first and only object of good government. The best hope of the future is to find a good leader and a better government.”

What about Lincoln?

When he was speaking at the Illinois State Capitol on June 16, 1858, he said,  “If we could first know where we are, and whither we are tending, we could better judge what to do and how to do it. We are now in the midst of a political crisis, the last best hope of earth.”

Any others?

Ronald Reagan used the phrase “best hope” in his speech at the Republican National Convention in 1984, where he stated:  “I believe that the American people are the best hope for a world that is more free, more prosperous, and more peaceful.”

Very good.