Worth-while Patriotism is Sacrifice

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 104, 26 January 1935, Page 20

Worth-while Patriotism is Sacrifice

H w N modern times, Nietzsche has glorified the will to power, and has g made it appear that this is the key to domination. Thus he declares: h ‘What is good? AU that enhances the feeling of Power, the Will A to Power, and Power itself in man. What is bad? All that proceeds from weakness. What is happiness? The feeling that power is increasing—that resistance has been overcome.’ “In wide contrast, however, is the doctrine of Jesus: ‘But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.’” “Where does the truth lie, as between these views?” asks Professor Charles Edward Merriam in his new book, “Political Power.” “Without attempting to decide which among several elements in the composition ol power is most important, it is plain that the factor of abnegation is one which cannot be neglected in any comprehensive survey of authority. There is an element of truth in the analysis of Nietzsche, but this is by no means the whole truth, and those who rely upon this factor alone are certain to be disillusioned in the course of political experience. “There are qualities of sacrifice and surrender in the power complex, both on the part of the leaders and on the part of the ruled, which unquestionably play an important role in the understanding of the political process. There are idealistic and Utopian elements, which influence deeply the course of political events in many important moments. . . . “It may lightly be assumed that altruism, mysticism, sacrifice, martyrdom, belong wholly in the field of religion, and have no place in political discussion, but this is obviously contradicted by an examination of what actually occurs in the political world. The idealism of politics is not unlike that of religion in outward appearance or in inward significance and origin. In the modern world the enthusiasm of class and nation has at times acquired more spirituality than the more formal and institutionalised religions themselves.

"We cannot conclude that authority rests wholly upon the ‘will to power’ of the rulers, upon aggressive tendencies and dispositions alone, as it has seemed to some. The power holder assumes that in the community

there is the impulse to surrender and sacrifice. The germinating principle of politics is not found in the will to rule, but in the will to sacrifice, ir a broad satisfaction in the generous impulse of community devotion. “The ruler is a function, an instrument, a means of the community, not an end in himself. He cannot command, however harsh ids voice or hard his hand, unless lie reflects the very opposite of what he seems to stand for —unless lie incarnates sacrifice as well as self-assertion; unless lie incorporates altruism as well as egoism.

“If he rules by divine right, he must reflect that divinity; or if by custom, he must embody the traditions of the group. He may be so intoxicated by his apparent authority that he forgets or despises the gentler impulses upon which all his pride rests in last analysis, but the community does not forget its own basic purposes and doom dogs bis footsteps. “Patriotisms of all lauds build upon a spirit of sacrifice and devotion, as well as upon conquest and acquisition. They assume the principle of surrender on Um part of great masses of individuals. Without ability to reckon confidently upon this willingness of men, political sacrifices would quickly come to a. standstill. They call, and not in vain, for the surrender of comfort, convenience, industry, profession, home, health, liberty, perhaps life. And this appeal is made to a reserve of unselfishness which is con fident ly assumed.

“Public spirit in times of peace is a form of altruism in part, and makes heavy drafts upon the time and energy of those who contribute to its maintenance, and without this great fund of available service all movements involving organisation and effort would be hopeless from the beginning. The keynote of all the appeals is couched in terms of sacrifice and devotion, and the "same may be said of civic enthusiasm and of party spirit.

“When a State reaches a position in which its members lightly say, ‘Why should I do anything for my nation? What has it ever done for me?’ the end is near. What the citizen typically says front time to time is. ‘1 offer everything; I reserve nothing.’ And it is on the assumption that lie will say this and do likewise that nations rest.”