LeaderShift: The Challenge & Response for Western Civilization

Here are my closing thoughts on a book describing the background research into the soon-to-be-released LeaderShift book. I am more convinced now than ever that Western Civilization cannot only be saved, but be placed in a better position than ever before when people learn the systemic principles behind the Six Duties of Society and the Five Laws of Decline. Don’t take my word for it, do your own studying and use this article and the last one as a place to start. The LIFE Business is a group who are committed to making a difference by first making a difference in their own families life.

Sincerely,

Orrin Woodward

Incidentally, the Federalist feared the Articles of Confederation would fall into chaos and civil war like the ancient Greek society did. To avoid this scenario, they created a stronger federal government with checks against the FLD. In truth, however, what resulted was quasi-federal/quasi-state governmental structure that left sovereignty to be debated between the states and federal government. This is remarkably similar to the Roman Republic’s divided sovereignty between the Senate and People. Consequently, just as the Roman Republic’s struggle for sovereignty was settled by military force in its civil war, so too did America’s Civil War settle the sovereignty question. Furthermore, just as the Roman Republic’s pendulum moved from the chaos of civil war to concord in the early Roman Empire, followed by increasing coercion and enervation of the people of the late Empire, so too did the American Republic fall into chaos during its civil war to concord in the early American Empire, followed by increasing coercion and enervation of the people in the later America Empire. In both instances, the pendulum’s momentum carried it from chaos through concord and into coercion. In sum, the Federalist fear of Greek-like chaos caused them to propose and implement Roman-like sovereignty debates culminating in civil war and finally coercion. Indeed, the FLD predicts this sequence in theory as accurately as history displays it in fact. The author believes this is the key lesson to learn from political history: How society can satisfy the SDS without correspondingly activating the FLD.

Each Anglo-Saxon case-study will be analyzed to determine how they satisfied the SDS. All three societies grew and prospered by fulfilling the SDS; however, all three also experienced the FLD within society. What, if any, lessons did the Anglo/Saxon’s learn from their ancient predecessors? The author seeks to identify the similarities and differences between the ancient and modern methods of blocking the FLD. Each society will be summarized for what it added to the political wisdom of hot to fulfill the SDS and check the FLD. Interestingly, America’s Founding Fathers studied the history of each previous society. What conclusions did they draw from these historical examples? Moreover, what methods did they implement into the Constitution to improve the SDS and check the FLD?  Although the jury is not complete on the Anglo/Saxon societies, the currents reports are not optimistic. In many ways, the modern siblings are repeating the same systematic mistakes as the Greco/Roman societies. Fortunately, today’s political leaders, by studying the SDS and FLD, can respond to the challenge and withdraw the Anglo/Saxon societies from the approaching precipice.

Robert Mankoff: Decline of Western Civilization

The final section of the book proposes a model for society based upon feeding the SDS and starving the FLD. The proposal builds in checks upon the FLD and encourages the SDS, balancing the drift between chaos, on one side, and coercion on the other. The Quest for Concord, the middle position of the pendulum, between the equally harmful extremes, is attainable. Regrettably, concord has never been sustained for more than a generation. The author will describe how all past societies failed through systematic ignorance of the dangers within the FLD. Fortunately, when the Five Laws of Decline are understood and checked, the author believes the West can achieve its quest for concord. This book then, isn’t an intellectual perusal through the history of a lost cause. Rather, it is written in the hope of reawakening the quest for concord and pointing out the adjustment that need to me made within society in order to attain it. This book provides a step-by-step roadmap for America, and the West, to step off of the political precipice and finally achieve the 2500 year quest for concord.

Historian, Arnold Toynbee, wrote how each society faces “challenge and response” crisis that demand great leadership to solve. While many may have written Western Society’s obituary, believing it has entered its twilight years, the author, in contrast, believes the West drift towards coercion is due to the “challenge” crisis not being addressed and solved. In truth, without understanding the systemic reason for the challenge, it would be practically impossible to respond to it. This book provides the systemic framework to make a “response” possible. Western Civilization’s rebirth is within reach. Without exaggeration, if this challenge is ignored much longer, Western society will fall. The once great Western Civilization will be added to the dustbin of history as another “rise and fall” tragedy. The question is: will Western Society learn the lessons of the SDS and the FLD soon enough to divert destruction?

The following is a portion of the introduction from a book I am working on about Western Society. LeaderShift is less than a month away from release and Oliver DeMille and I are pumped about it. However, there is much more to share on this important subject than can be contained in one book. The Quest for Concord is as old as Western Societies existence and has been attempted in every society since the Greeks. The LIFE Business intends to educate people on their history so we can ensure we protect the freedoms we enjoy for our posterity. Today’s reading is not light, but I promise if you take the time to read and comprehend, it will help you understand the pressing issues going on in today’s society.

Sincerely,

Orrin Woodward

Historical Case-Studies of SDS & FLD

With this understanding of the Six Duties of Society and Five Laws of Decline, the author can now describe more fully his chronological case-studies. The Greeks, as the founders of Western Civilization, were the first case-study society. The Greeks enjoyed a higher level of freedom than any previous ancient society. Consequently, the SDS were satisfied more fully than in any other previous society up until that time. Society and wealth grew rapidly as the Greek city-states traded with one another and confederated together to defend themselves against the Persian Empire. However, with no experience or understanding of the FLD, the stronger Greek city-states began plundering the weaker ones and the pendulum moved out of concord into chaos. Greek society divided into allied city-states (Sparta and Athens) who fought a series of civil wars, destroying their liberties and productivity. Both cities, and Greek society, were destroyed in a suicidal attempt to protect themselves from the plunder of the other. The Greek civil wars terminated when Greek liberty did with the arrival of the Roman Republic’s armies.

The Roman Republic began its leadership of Western Society and experienced great growth and prestige within society. However, it too was overcome by the temptations of the FLD when the Senate began to plunder small farmers and the provincials. The Gracchi brothers attempted reforms led to their assassinations and political wars for plunder led eventually to full-scale civil war within society. Injustice always carries within it the seed of its own destruction and the political wars eventually flowed into civil war and chaos. The political purges and civil wars of Marius and Sulla moved the pendulum into chaos. This only escalated further as the Senate and Populares fought for political leadership of the Roman Republic. The FLD killed the Roman Republic when political chaos paralyzed the rulers of Rome and opposing sides resorted to war. Clausewitz said, “War is politics by other means.” In the Republic’s case, “Politics was war by other means.”  The conservative elements (the Senate and Pompey) squared off against the reform-minded populist, led by Caesar. The end result was the destruction of the Roman Republic and the beginning of the Roman Empire. Even Caesar’s assassination did not restore the republic. The chaos was rooted too deeply within Roman society and Caesar’s death resulted in another round of civil wars, culminating with Augustus Caesar’s rule.

At long last, Western Society moved the pendulum from chaos towards concord. In essence, the Roman Empire early success was due to Caesar Augustus wisdom. He limited taxation, ended the plunder of the provinces, and shared power with the Senatorial class. Accordingly, the Roman peace (Pax Romana) produced concord, prosperity, and progress within society for the duration of Augustus rule. Unfortunately, wise rulers do not live forever. Predictably, the pendulum’s inertia, originally set in motion from chaos to concord, continued it momentum from concord into coercion. Later Caesars, ignoring Augustus’s example, increased their powers by further centralization, regulations, and taxes. The government’s gain in power and money was achieved parasitically, at the expense of society’s freedoms and prosperity. Indeed, by the end of the Roman Empire, the bloated bureaucracy coerced society’s wealth to feed the rapacious civil and military branches. Interestingly, when the Roman Empire fell, many within the oppressed Roman society, viewed the Gothic barbarians, not as invaders, but as liberators.

The Roman Empire, by Augustus’s restraint, solved many of the pressing issues that hindered the Republic. Consequently, society thrived under his SDS solutions and the empire expanded. The pendulum swung from chaos into concord and Roman society enjoyed the benefits through Augustus’s long tenure. Not surprisingly, however, the FLD temptation was too much for later Caesar’s with less talent and more greed. The FLD began to work its poison with the thriving society. The parasitic state ate the bowels out of the once-healthy society and the Roman Empire fell, less from external enemies, and more from internal enervation. Neither Roman society seemed to learn the key lessons offered by its Greek predecessor. In summation, the three case-studies from the Greco/Roman past, even though they shined brightly for a period of time, terminate in societal suicide. Not an impressive ending compared to its promising beginnings. All three societies met the SDS challenge and failed miserably with the FLD. Santayana’s statement, “The only thing we learn from history is that we don’t learn from history,” regretfully, has been proven to be valid in the study of history.

The next section reviews the Anglo/Saxon societies. Beginning with England and its society formed under the Kings, Lords, and Parliament, England developed innovative ways to check any specific groups power. England’s three great liberty documents – Magna Carta, Petition of Rights, and the Bill of Rights – attempted systematic fixes to the problems inherent within mankind’s plunderous nature. England, learned through experience than Kings could not be trusted with absolute power and needed checks upon their power. Nonetheless, the Stuart Kings attempted to exercise absolute control of England without parliamentary checks. Civil war was the predictable result. After an interregnum during Oliver Cromwell’s protectorate, the Restoration brings King Charles II to the throne. Like his dad before, Charles II believed in the “divine right of kings” and the House of Lords and Parliament battled to protect the people’s rights. Finally, when his brother James proved even worse, the Lords and House joined forces and invited William and Mary to England. King William agreed to sign the Bill of Rights and England believed its liberties were secure. However, plunderers have never allowed mere words on scraps of paper hinder them in their quest for power and plunder. When King George III took the throne as the third Hanoverian king, he attempted to rule as absolutely as any of the Stuart, proving the FLD cannot be checked by contracts or constitution, but only forces capable of resisting plunder.

King George III takes us to the founding of the United States and its two intriguing case-study societies. The first society was structured under the Articles of Confederation during the American colonies civil war against its parent England. It consisted of thirteen independent colonies who confederated together for protection. Interestingly, this model is similar to the Greek model where independent city-states confederated together against the Persian Empire. Although there were strengths and weaknesses of this society, it never had the opportunity to move through the “rise and fall” cycle. George Washington, James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and others desired a stronger federal government than the Articles offered. The federalist feared the potential chaos ensuing from independent states warring politically, financially, and militarily if a stronger central government were not formed.

Accordingly, in 1787, the Articles of Confederation were scrapped and replaced by the Constitution. This document attempted to limit the actions of the federal government by clearly delineating the actions permissible. However, history reveals plunderers ignore words in the quest for power; therefore, the general welfare clause was twisted into a “catch all” phrase, permitting the federal government to do whatever it felt necessary. This tenuous arrangement between “sovereign” states and a “sovereign” federal government did not last long. Not even a century had elapsed when the increasing political wars finally spilled over into the predictable civil war. History may not repeat exactly, but the ill-effects of the FLD surely do. On one side, the Greek, Roman, American societies each experienced civil wars when the pendulum moved into chaos. On the other side, Rome, modern-day England, and modern-day America are experiencing the pain and enervation of the pendulum drifting into coercion. Chaos leads to civil war while coercion leads to lethargy.

I have been working on the background details to the government proposal in Oliver DeMille and my soon-to-be-released book LeaderShift. I know this sounds crazy, but I LOVE this stuff! A concerted study of history through the Five Laws of Decline reveals so much we can do, as a society, to improve. No matter how long this takes, I am going to capture the concepts for this generation’s leaders to apply if they desire a free society. The LIFE Business is filled with men and women who are willing to lead because they are willing to learn. The future is bright! Here is a portion of the introduction.

Sincerely,

Orrin Woodward

Leaning Tower Equals Weak Foundation

Mankind’s quest for societal concord (peace and harmony) between the opposite extremes of chaos and coercion is as old as human civilization. Indeed, every society quests after concord; however, it’s rarely achieved and never maintained. Despite the difficulties, mankind seeks the advantages gained through association when families form clans to create communities that combine into society. The Greeks founded Western Civilization, supplying many of foundational concepts for society and government through their city-states dotting the Aegean landscape. In fact, Greek philosopher Aristotle described human beings as political animals, who formed societies to enjoy the benefits of association. Nonetheless, the Greek failed miserably in the quest for concord as the city-states fratricidal wars created chaos throughout Greek society. Mercifully, after decades of civil war, the exhausted Greeks collapsed into the Roman Republic’s orbit. Ironically, however, even though Romans witnessed the catastrophic effects of the Greek chaos within society, the Republic fell victim to a similar chaos when the mounting Roman political and civil strife led to civil war. The Senate and Pompey squared off against Caesar which culminated in the destruction of the Roman Republic.

Despite the senatorial conspiracy that killed Caesar, the Roman Republic was not restored. Instead, another round of civil wars and chaos ensued until Augustus defeated Marcus Antony and birthed the Roman Empire. At last, Western Society moved the pendulum from chaos towards concord. Caesar Augustus ruled wisely. He limited taxation and the plunder of the provinces; thus, for a brief period, the results was the Roman peace (Pax Romana). Unfortunately, the pendulum’s momentum did not rest at concord. At Augustus death, the new Caesars increased government’s responsibilities until the pendulum moved into the control and coercion of society’s members. The Caesar’s and their ruling elites enjoyed more power at the expense of its citizens freedoms.  By the end of the empire, the bloated bureaucracies consumed the wealth of its citizens to feed the coercive civil and military branches. In fact, when the Roman Empire fell, many within the oppressed Roman society, viewed the Gothic barbarians as liberators and not invaders.

Studying the Greco/Roman societies provide valuable lessons in the pendulum swings from chaos to coercion and back again. Despite momentary intervals of peace and prosperity, the pendulum never came to rest at concord. The pendulum’s momentum either carried it towards chaos or coercion. To be sure, there were solid parts in the Greco/Roman political foundations, but there were also sinkholes. Predictably, these sinkholes caused the political collapse of all three societies. The first two under chaos and the third under coercion. Therefore, identifying the specific failure modes of each Greco/Roman society and learning from them is essential for today’s political leaders.

Not surprisingly, the English (Anglo/Saxon) societies learned many lessons, both good and bad, from Greco/Roman history. In fact, the English-speaking peoples built their political foundations upon the strengths of the Greco/Roman (reason and order), Judeo/Christian (hope and ethics), and Anglo/Saxon (liberty and passion) societies. When King William, of Normandy, successfully invaded England in the13th century, the confluence of these rivers formed the the famed English political tradition. Therefore, the author examines three Anglo/Saxon case-studies societies for further review.

1. Great Britain under the Stuart Kings
2. America under the Articles of Confederation
3. America after the United States Constitution

These three societies attempted, by different methods, to rest society’s pendulum at concord. Each ultimately failed. Essentially, these societies failed in a similar fashion as the Greco/Roman models. The pendulum never rested, swinging into chaos and then back into coercion, with brief moments of concord. Indeed, it seems the Anglo/Saxons, in many ways, have repeated the mistakes of the Greco/Romans. Although the political structures may be different, underneath the edifice is the same failed foundation that continues to collapse when too much weight is placed upon it. In other words, if the definition of insanity is to continue to do the same thing while expecting a different results, Western Society’s political tradition has reached the point of insanity. The quest for concord remains unconsummated. Systematically, the political structures are failing because the pendulum moves out of concord into either chaos or coercion. No society, to date, has successfully rested the pendulum at concord. What are the systemic causes underlying these failed attempts? How can the momentum of the pendulum be  checked to rest it at concord? The questions and more the author proposes to answer in the following chapters.

The purpose of this treatise is to determine solid ground from the sinkholes in the foundations of the Greco/Roman and Anglo/Saxon political traditions. By understanding the historical foundations reviewed in this book, Western Society will be strengthened in its quest for concord. Indeed, the dangers inherent when the pendulum swings to the either the side of chaos or coercion is irrefutable. In consequence, the author seeks the firm ground of concord between the opposite, but equally damaging, extremes of chaos and coercion. The case-studies will proceed in chronological order because each society learned from those that preceded it. The main objective is to identify why and how each society failed and what lessons can be learned from their example. Hence, each society’s successes and failures will be analyzed to determine what remained solid from what ultimately sunk in its political foundations. Ideally, to build enduring political structures today, society should build upon the foundational principles that proved successful and reform those that failed the test of time. History is relentless and unsentimental in its verdicts. Either the political structure stands or it collapses. The key to history is to identify why. Nevertheless, few political leaders seem willing to be tutored by these truths of history. Society, it seems, repeats failures because it’s unwilling to learn from them.

At any rate, Western Civilization has not fulfilled its quest for concord. As a result, determining past societies failures and preventing similar failures today ought to be the high priority in Western Society’s quest for concord. Understanding what forces move the pendulum from concord to either chaos on one side or coercion on the other is crucial. Consequently, before outlining the historical societies, the author must first explain two systems that influence the pendulum within society. One strives to center the pendulum at concord while the other moves it towards chaos or coercion. The first is the Six Duties of Society (SDS) and the second is the Five Laws of Decline (FLD). The Six Duties of Society are the essential building-blocks for creating a sustainable society, helping to build an environment where mankind can grow and prosper. In contrast, the Five Laws of Decline describe the effects of mankind’s sinful nature. If left unchecked, the FLD will parasitically destroy a formerly healthy society. Both systems will be explained in general now and specifically to each Greco/Roman and Anglo/Saxon case-study in the preceding chapters.

The important point for the reader to grasp is that society must satisfy the SDS in order to survive. However, even when the SDS are met, society isn’t secure. safe. For when societal prosperity increases, it stimulates the FLD into action.  An unchecked FLD within society develops groups that seeks to plunder what the rest have produced. Eventually, an unchecked FLD destroys the SDS because the parasitic plunderers strip the plundered physically and mentally. This, in a nutshell, is the quick version of Western History. Unfortunately, even a cursory examination of each failed society in Western Civilization reveals the FLD as the culprit of collapse.