Rules for Radicals

The passions of mankind have boiled over into all areas of political life including its vocabulary. The words most common in politics have become stained with human hurts, hopes and frustrations. All of them are loaded with popular opprobium and their use results in a conditioned, negative emotional response. Even the word 'politics' itself which Webster says is the 'science and art of government' is generally viewed in the context of corruption. Ironically the dictionary synonyms are 'discreet, provident, diplomatic, wise'.

The same discolorations attach to other words prevalent in the language of politics such as power, self interest, compromise and conflict. They become twisted and warped, viewed as evil. Nowhere is the prevailing political illiteracy more clearly revealed than in the interpretation of these words. That is why we pause here for a 'word about words'.

Whenever the word 'power' is mentioned, somebody sooner or later will refer to the words of Lord Acton and cite it as follows: 'Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.' In fact the correct quotation is 'Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely'. We cant even read Acton's statement correctly, our minds are so confused by our conditioning.

The corruption of power is not in  power but in ourselves.

Pascal who was obviously not a cynic, observed that 'Justice without power is impotent, power without justice is tyranny'. St. Ignatius the founder of the Jesuit Order said,'To do a thing well, a man needs power and competence'. We could call the roll of those who have played their parts in history and find the word 'power' not a substitute word in their speeches and writings.

To know power and not fear it is essential to its constructive use and control.



Rules for Radicals, A Pragmatic Primer for Realistic Radicals by Saul D. Alinsky (1971)