... since you know as well as we do that right, as the world goes, is only in question between equals in power, while the strong do what they can and the weak suffer what they must.It is the representatives of Athens talking to the leadership of the neutral island nation of Melos. The words come to us via Thucydides' History of the Peloponnesian War. It is part of the "Melian Dialogue".
Part of American Exceptionalism is believing we don't operate the way Athens did. Plot spoiler: In the end, Athens loses, to Sparta, and the surviving people of Melos are restored, from exile, to their island.
Regards — Cliff
Imho, American Exceptionalism would expect that we learn from what Athens did.
ReplyDeleteIn the ancient world, I would presume that the difference between vying parties was significant. In modern America, we effectively concur on 70% of what the way forward is. With a slim percentage being of substantive difference and the balance being a matter of degree.
The slogan makers and spin masters like to hype up the slim difference, pretending our future as a nation hangs in the balance.
We should call poppycock when this happens.
I think I have. I read the book.
ReplyDeleteI bet the agreement is greater than 70%, but what if both parties are wrong, like with Keynesian economics?
Regards — Cliff