What is hierarchy?
Hierarchy is similar to (if not the same as) structure. A computer is full of hierarchy. There are numerous components that all work together in a layered approach. When the OS running on top of the microprocessor requests a chunk of memory from the system memory, the memory controller obeys and makes it available. The computer would not work without hierarchy.
I’ve talked about Yin and Yang before. This is more of the same. Hierarchy or structure is the yin of the computer. Without it the computer would simply not exist. The signals that move around the computer are they Yang. Without the hierarchy, the signals would have no origin and no place to go. Likewise, without the signals, the hierarchy of the computer would be dead. Both are absolutely necessary.
In the same way, all natural phenomena are hierarchical. The human body has hierarchy. Even the church is hierarchical. It is in no way a democracy. At the top is Christ. There are apostles, pastors, elders, and deacons (or their modern equivalent terms). The authority in the church comes from the top down.
Two primary problems can arise in the interplay between Yin and Yang. One, Yang can become inadequate and thus the Yin becomes rigid and stagnant. It approaches death. The other problem is that Yang can become too exuberant and rebellious. In this case the Yang rebels against the hierarchy and structure that gives it its existence. It approaches annihilation.
China is considered by many to be a very conservative country. That is to say, most people think its a little heavy on the Yin. That all depends on your perspective. If you are heavy on the Yang then a country with near perfect balance will appear to be Yin-heavy. however, I fear that it is we who are Yang-heavy. The basic culture and structure of China has remained relatively stable for millennia. Contrast that with the US, which has been in existence for mere centuries. We are the adolescent who thinks we know it all, though the village elder is far wiser.
I fear that China is the tortoise and we are the hare. We have been winning the race thus far, but the slow and steady will win the race.
There is a force alive in in this country that seeks to tear down hierarchy. It seeks for things such as fairness and equality. Such concerns remind me of the arguments my kids have over whether one’s piece of cake is as big as the other’s. The proponents of this force hold the hierarchical structure of jello in higher esteem than that of a corporation.
This force seeks to tear down things like corporations because they represent hierarchy. It seeks to eliminate varying wage scales because after all isn’t it more fair if everyone gets payed the same – even if they don’t do the same work? It seeks to tear down families because it doesn’t see the value in them. It seeks to tear down the military because it doesn’t understand the international dance that has been going on for millennia. It seeks to destroy Christianity because it doesn’t understand its purpose.
We need to realize that the structures that exist are rooted in the wisdom of our elders and stop trying to tear everything apart. Will we live through our adolescence?
If we are to keep from going up in a puff of smoke, more fine Democrats like Joe Lieberman will need to stand up to their self-destructive brethren.
