The Power of an Idea

For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction; this fundamental paradigm of physics has long held true for our social world. I begin this way to illustrate a point, the point that in the world of politics, the power of an idea is indeed remarkable. People do not fear vast armies, weapons, repression, etc…, no, people fear ideas. What kind of ideas are these? These ideas range from the laws of Hammurabi to democracy in today’s world; basically anything that you can think of that has happened throughout history. For these ideas to come to fruition they must have popular support and at the same time, popular resistance; otherwise, what would the point be if everyone agreed?

The country that we live in today was formed on an idea, an idea of freedom. Obviously we all know the story, but the point reigns true in this case as well. Countless lives were lost in this struggle some two-hundred years ago for an idea that is still flourishing today. Those that we see as ultimate patriots are seen in the eyes of the English as traitors, the gravest of humanity’s crimes. Yet without such branding on both sides of the coin, the significance of what exists today would have been long undermined and thrown to the realm of innate history. The events of today in Pakistan exemplify our fear of an idea, a fear of democracy.

I could sit here for days trying to explain the significance of democracy and what it means for those who fight for it today. But it would be futile, at least for those of us who reside in the western world, as I believe that it is something that we take for granted on a daily basis. Benazir Bhutto was assassinated by someone or a group that feared the idea of democracy; an idea that would undoubtedly improve the prospects for those residing in the country. This isn’t the first time in human history that the leader of a popular movement has been assassinated. But we need to remember, even though the media is “freaking out,” that sometimes the death of a leader can indeed strengthen the cause for democracy in the end.

"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants."- Thomas Jefferson