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Because I have found it very difficult to make the clear connection
I expected between the "Elites in Mythology, and Myths in
Elites", I am making the following attempt to see if the
'bigger picture' of hierarchy can include all the information
I have gathered.
Hierarchies are widespread (though this is often
denied). To try and give an idea of what I mean by this, I will
give a 'scientific' example, where I have guessed at 7 levels
:-
- those who fully understand quantum theory and
its faults and problems
- those who fully understand quantum theory
- those who partially understand quantum theory
- those who understand lasers (which are derived from
quantum theory)
- those who understand CD players (which use lasers)
- those who use CD players, and who accept quantum
theory as truth
- those who use CD players, and who have no idea of
quantum theory at all
Quantum theory then is a reality to the Insiders, the scientists
and technologists who use it and create quantum devices such as
lasers (and thus CD players), but it is a myth to the Outsiders
who use the devices (such as the CD player) without necessarily
even knowing it is based on a quantum device. From a different
'Meta level', quantum theory is a typical paradigm of this stage
of modern science. Quantum theory is likely to be refined or even
superseded as its shortcomings as a theory are discovered.
In a similar but different way, when we look at the State and
how it is administered, then we find Elites are normal and natural,
the most efficient and effective way of administering the State
to the Insiders. In their own opinions, the elite members all
have the highest motives and the best of intentions. However to
Outsiders, they might either seem like indispensible great leaders,
or as corrupt and cynical conspiracies using scarce resources
for themselves and their associates. However at a 'Meta level',
elites are an interesting pattern of organisation with opportunities
for further study
These type of statement could be made about nearly all the Theories
of State and all the Mythic Systems. It is interesting that such
exactly parallel statements are possible, of a system of insiders
and outsiders, but another level 'outside the system', which I
have called the Meta level..
Myths and Elites
My challenge is that I have not been able to find any other clear
links reciprocal links between the myths and the theories of state(elites).
The elites found in mythology are all archaic or primitive from
a political viewpoint - elders, gods, priests, peer groups. The
ideals and stereotypes found in modern political systems seem
to be mostly 'pagan' though there are some attempts to use manifestos
as 'great books'. Also, there are peer group systems in politics.
However, I do not want to 'force' any of these myths or elites
into an unsuitable pattern. This is why I am suggesting the above
'hierarchy of understanding'.
On the basis of these levels of hierarchy, a possible reason
for this lack of links may be that
* we understand myths at (say) level 2 or 3 of the hierarchy
of understanding (myths are really quite well understood, even
if intuitively - any good storyteller can do it !)
* however, we only understand politics and nation states at (say)
level 4 or 5 of that hierarchy of understanding
This may be why my idea has not worked out - though we may have
many ideas about the state, but it is too big and clumsy to 'operate',
and very difficult to train people to do so.
We may just be operating our myths at a higher level of sophistication
than we operate our countries (?!!)
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