changing the beat

I again have the urge to write something. But before I do – thanks for all the comments/ responses to my last post, it is so awesome to get different ideas and perspectives on things. Seriously – feel free to comment, argue, or assure anything I jot down in this blog.
This time there is a whole blur of thoughts that I want to connect together – I’ve had quite a few “OMG” moments in the past weeks. In no way can I go into detail about all of them nor do I attempt to fully cover any of the issues I discuss, but perhaps I am able to highlight a few points that really altered something in my thinking.

I will start with the last thought I shared in my previous post – and that has to do with change. Is there any reason to look or hope for any solid change to occur in the world, primarily in the political domain? As I very briefly and generally walked through a few different ways to look at world affairs, whether the neorealist, neoliberal or a totally new concept for me – constructivism, I ended up stating that the possibility of an alternative reality to the current cold calculations may actually depend on perception. Or in other words - if the relations between states are primarily linked to social structures, then identities and ideas matter.
Again, I think the ideas constructivism projects are somewhat insane, but in my eyes, they also carry quite a large amount of truth - especially if I put it in context with the word of God, which I believe to be the absolute basis of life.
With regards to theories in general – I am not really prone to completely agree with any of them. And this not because I think I know better, but just as much as I have read about them - there are points in each that I comply with, yet each in some way carries something that I don’t think either projects reality or offers nothing solid to act upon (instead of criticizing just for the sake of criticism).
Actually, I love the existence of the debate. Something that I have really learned to do and enjoy this year is “try” different views on life. Just for the sake of understanding why people think the way they do. This practice is not nearly as irrational as I used to think it is. No, I don’t believe in relativism, nor do I think that everyone is right (yes there is a right and a wrong), but I have come to have some new crazy thoughts. For example I no longer think God prefers one logic to another – I don’t think western Christianity holds a monopoly of “the way”. In essence – I believe there is one truth, but I don’t think it is a simple one, or to better express – it is not in terms of black and white, and it doesn’t give any human being superiority over another. I think in Gods design, in many areas – there is a purposefully left niche for interpretation. A dangerous road, I know. One you can literally get lost in (and which I have wandered down way too many times) … but I think it is even more unintelligent is to think that one group of human beings is somehow superior or smarter than everyone else or that God is only the God of Christians and doesn’t pay attention to the rest of humanity. That, in my eyes, is a very small God to serve. Yes, my God has a name, He has a face which no living being has seen, but He also has wisdom beyond anything I can comprehend. And this wisdom is not subject to my logic.

Stepping out of your box and giving something else chance is awesome, even if at times absurd.
It is crazy how much depends on interpretation, how much perception can change an event. And I think it is important, because in a way, I would say perception gives motive for further action or inaction. In fact, I think the latter – inaction or passivity – causes way more problems on the planet than actually doing something. The majority of people in the society can’t be bothered or are afraid to think or do anything, thus allowing way too much to be done by some minorities.
For years and years I have heard discussions and debates about the failures of democracy due to corruption. And for the most part, I completely agree with this statement – democracy is often a smart way to make people believe they have power which in practice – they don´t. By cunning words, masses are deceived and by hearing what they want to hear, they are subconsciously (or in some cases consciously) directed to follow the rules of someone else. There are yet some who see through this and they raise their voices against using groups for personal gain. Yet the problem is that often, the opposition to this is silent. It happens within homes, behind peoples’ backs, as further bitterness fills the souls of men who could perhaps make a difference.
I realize I sound as naive as I don´t know, say Woodrow Wilson talking about collective security and universal norms or even better, Miss Universe promoting world peace. And let me just say – I do not intend to simplify issues that are in reality very complicated. Even if in theory, I could convince you, the practice of any solution is always more difficult.
I do not propose a public fight against authority or anarchy or anything of the sort – that would be indeed naive and thoughtless, especially in a system that itself gives birth to more corruption. But I am trying to claim that there is another side to the coin – criticizing in secret is not enough. Knowing there is something wrong is not an excuse for passivity. Because the truth is that as much as the system is corrupt, it is full of loopholes to actually stand for something that is right, and even if for a small number of people – life could be different. I don’t think systems are easily (or maybe ever) changed nor should they be blindly battled against, but I do believe people are worth fighting for.
So when talking about change, I think the first step anywhere is a war that needs to be declared against passivity.
One of my greatest discoveries last year was that politics is not actually difficult to comprehend. Yeah, situations are multifaceted and ambivalent, and I have yet to meet a person who can keep up with everything, but if you take the time to read and get into it, even in a small amount – it is not hard to figure out. The confusion is more related to prejudice and appearance. Politics is seen as a science too intellectually demanding for the majority and thus even small everyday issues are left to the hands of “someone else”. I don’t mean to state that everyone should become politicians or that a crowd can rule a country, but I also think there is so much false opinion that actually sustains corruption. For example, if you go to the country side in Estonia and talk to people about politics (which I sometimes do), most will tell you “Oh no, I’m not really into that, let the “big guys” handle it.” If you continue the discussion, sooner or later you will hear that people are not content with the way life is run, they even have ideas about how it could be different – yet they think they are not smart enough to say anything. Yes, I admit, often times – the ideas from locals are not coherent with all the political theories out there – but that doesn’t mean they should lack an opinion about issues concerning their community, especially in such a small country as Estonia. We allow way too much to happen because of false prejudice that comes from flawed perception. For 700 years, we’ve been taught we are slaves and should not really say anything – hence the silence and passed opportunities in times where we should make a stand. Schools don’t teach you to argue, or to question, but to obey.
So what do we do? We stay silent. We get out of the game and wait for it to finish so then perhaps we´ll end up on the more profitable side.
My claim of the day, with which I end this post, is this: Nobody else can live your life or use your voice to ask questions or take stands that only you can take. Silence exists because you don´t speak.