Leaders vs. Rulers

When I tell people that my sociopolitical philosophy most closely resembles anarchism, one of the objections I hear quite often is that we need leaders. What they don’t realize is that I totally agree with this statement. Leaders can inspire us to be better and think differently. I am not anti-leaders. I am anti-rulers. Anarchy literally means “without rulers.” The word anarchy comes from the ancient Greek ἀναρχία (anarchia), which combines ἀν (an), “not, without” and ἀρχός (arkhos), “ruler.” I would argue that a leader and a ruler are two different things.

First, the similarities: People seek answers to life’s questions from both leaders and rulers. Social, political, commercial, and religious answers can all be given by both. Both leaders and rulers are capable of having both good and bad ideas. (They’re human, after all.) Both leaders and rulers are susceptible to corruption and error. Both leaders and rulers need to be charismatic if they are to be successful.

The differences are the key. There are many more differences besides the ones I list here, this is just a short list off the top of my head. Hopefully after reading my short list, you will understand why I support the idea of leaders, but not rulers. (I’m using the pronoun “he” for simplicity. Of course, women can also be leaders or rulers.) If you think of other similarities or differences, please share them in the comments.

• Leaders are voluntary. You can follow a leader, unfollow a leader, or ignore him completely. A leader will attract followers with the strength of ideas, and will be obligated to improve them over time if he is to remain a leader.
  A ruler demands allegiance. You have no choice but to follow, or else face the negative consequences. It doesn’t matter if a ruler’s ideas are good or bad, his subjects are obligated to follow no matter how ignorant or harmful (or smart and helpful) his ideas are.
• Leaders lead by example. People recognize hypocrisy and will reject a leader who doesn’t generally practice what he preaches.
  A ruler demands followers by decree. His own lifestyle and choices are irrelevant to what he tells other people to do.
• Leaders build their audience up to strengthen the group. The leader is a figurehead, and can be corrupted. He knows this, so he makes sure the group is strong by strengthening the skills and mentality of his audience.
  A ruler builds himself up at the expense of the group. He demands tribute, and in some cases, worship. (Think cults.)
• Leaders are open to suggestion. They realize their own limitations and are open to correction and new ideas from others. They are humble.
  Rulers are arrogant. A ruler must present himself as infallible, lest his rule be questioned.
• Leaders command respect because they respect others.
  Rulers demand respect through threats, violence, and fear.

A word on my choice of image: I see Martin Luther King as a leader and Barack Obama as a ruler. I chose these two men because of their similarities (they both are symbols for oppressed minorities, they both are known for their oratory skills, and they are both highly controversial figures in their own days) and their differences (King lead through his example and his ideas; Obama rules by decree using the violence of American state power). Please note that I do not see either of these men as 100% good or 100% evil; that’s childish.

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Inspiration

My inspiration to write this post came to me in my car this morning. It is taken from the new Faith No More song, Superhero. There are lots of anti-authority songs in music; this is just a new one that I’ve been listening to lately. (It’s very catchy.) I’ve embedded the song, and the lyrics, below. Enjoy!

Lyrics

Go Go Go Go…

Superhero
I’m tugging on your cape
Tell me will your sons
Know their father one day

Leader of men
Leader of men
Get back in your cage
Will you be one of them?

Like an American drug
Makes a mean cock grow
…kill a priest
Makes a superman of glass

Go Go Go

The S on your chest
You’re feeling like a god
An order of animal
We try to find a rod

Superhero, Sensei, Nero, smiling, hiding, riding, flying, sighing, sumo

Leader of men
Leader of men
Get back in your cage
Ain’t no grave going to hold this body down
The sun rises here to save us now
Its all erased
Storybook years
Sweet memories
Wash it away
Wash it away
Wash it away

Go, go, go, go
Go, go, go, go
Go, go, go!

Leader of men
Leader of men
Leader of men
Leader of men
…
Will you be one of them?

A Disclaimer About My Politics

Thanks for reading this post, I hope I challenged you in some way. Agree with me? That’s cool. Disagree? Even better. I’m just a random guy on the internet, voicing his opinion (at the time of writing this blog post – check the date; opinions change as more facts and experience are gathered). But imagine if I had the political power and will to force you to agree with me! That would be terrible, and that’s the point of voluntarism and non-aggression. You should not be forced to agree with me. Please extend me the same courtesy.

“The word ‘politics’ is derived from the word ‘poly’ meaning ‘many’, and the word ‘ticks’ meaning ‘blood sucking parasites’.” -Larry Hardiman

Political Blog Posts

• The Democrats Don’t Deserve Your Vote
• The Republicans Don’t Deserve Your Vote
• The Libertarians Don’t Deserve Your Vote
• Democracy ≠ Freedom
• I Don’t “Feel the Bern.”
• Confessions of a Public Servant
• Leaders vs. Rulers
• Libertarianism is Better Than Progressivism
• Why I Do Not Vote (And Neither Should You)
• The Traffic Court Swindle
• Top Five Reasons I Don’t Argue Politics on Social Media
• Why Meaningful Debate is Impossible
• Dos and Do Nots for the Liberty Minded
• “There ought to be a law…”
• A Defense of Fugitive Slaves
• Conspiracy Theories are Dumb

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