The purpose of our politics cannot and must not be based solely on the zero-sum idea of power. Rather, our politics, policy and public discourse should be based on the power of ideas that are much greater than the idea of power.
The idea of power, particularly power over others, has served as the piston firing the engine of a thousand sorry tales of egocentric ambition, which often end in acrimony, abuse of office or awful atrocities. The pursuit of such power regularly ruins families, corrupts communities and devastates nations. Unchecked, the idea of power sows the seeds of anger, breeds bitter contempt and drives deadly wedges of division.
Conversely, throughout history, simple ideas have demonstrated immense power to lift millions out of poverty, spark technological innovation, unite former enemies and strengthen societies.
This past weekend I was introduced to just such a powerful idea. What was it? That politics has the power to reconcile, heal, unite and bring about an “at-one-ment” of humanity.
That seems contradictory, and possibly downright crazy, in the idea of power world in which we seem to be stuck. Winning over political opponents rather than winning with them is the norm. The politics of personal destruction, where rivals are demonized and words are weaponized, is all too common. How could anyone believe in the power of the idea that politics could serve to reconcile?
One of the great blessings of the challenging year of 2020 has been a new friend and inspiring influence in my world. Judge Thomas Griffith, who recently retired from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, has been a blessing to my thinking and writing in many ways. In the midst of the current political malaise, Griffith and I were emailing over the weekend. He shared the following with me: “I have in my office a framed copy of a brochure from Robert F. Kennedy’s 1968 campaign that features a statement from the announcement of his candidacy. In his announcement Kennedy declared, ‘I run for the Presidency because I want the United States to stand for the reconciliation of men.’”
Having the leader of the United States and free world stand for the reconciliation of men encapsulates the power of a most extraordinary idea. Imagine a leader who was not concerned with the idea of his or her own power, but was focused on the powerful idea of reconciliation for all women and men.
Griffith went on to explain, “In his translation of the New Testament, William Tyndale used the word ‘reconciliation’ to translate the Greek word ‘katallagē,’ which means ‘a change from enmity to friendship’ or ‘the means through which harmony is restored.’ But sometimes he used a newly created word to express the concept: ‘atonement’ or ‘at-one-ment.’”
For people of faith, at-one-ment — or atonement — is a powerful idea about reconciliation with the divine. For Christians, the principle, and most eternally powerful idea, is that through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ that mankind can be redeemed from their sins and be reconciled to God.
Applying the deeply spiritual to the incredibly secular, it is also important, as Griffith pointed out, that we humans are likewise to be reconciled with what GK Chesterton called the “splendid strangers” with whom we share this planet. When we are reconciled to, and are connected with, splendid strangers and fellow travelers, extraordinary things happen in a society.
Politics as an act of at-one-ment? Seems strange, but it actually can happen when leaders lead with the power of ideas rather than the idea of their own political power.
Abraham Lincoln understood the perils of the idea of power and fully believed in, and emphatically embraced, the power of the idea of reconciliation. A fractured nation, teeming with contempt and driven by division was foundering in the squalor of scarcity-thinking and zero-sum power. Lincoln knew that if the nation was to survive, its citizens from the North and the South had to be “at one” – united.
Lincoln declared, “We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained it must not break our bonds of affection. The mystic chords of memory, stretching from every battlefield and patriot grave to every living heart and hearthstone all over this broad land, will yet swell the chorus of the Union, when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature.” That seems both a human and divine invitation to reconciliation.
The power of ideas brought forth this nation. Powerful ideas have saved it time and again.
The idea of power can be incredibly corrosive and corrupting. The pursuit of power tends to tear people apart while creating fractious kingdoms filled with echo chambers, group-think and contemptuous cronies. Such power has become the hallmark of politicians and political parties along with their internet trolls, apologists and loyalists.
The idea of power is what prevents politicians, who actually agree on 84% of the policies needed to solve America’s illegal immigration issue, from reconciling around a solution to meet the needs of the nation. It is the idea of power that perpetuates old battles over health care, education and caring for the poor. If our political class were to relinquish the power necessary for never-ending fundraising for reelection campaigns, reconciliation could occur, and more importantly, problems could be solved through the power of ideas.
The power of ideas brought forth this nation. Powerful ideas have saved it time and again. Inspired ideas have reconciled the nation, its people and its founding principles in times of sunshine and shadow.
Imagine if the power of American politics were deployed to create reconciliation. The power of that idea would change the idea of power forever. The politics of reconciliation would help America establish a more perfect union, promote better politicians and foster the finest people. Reconciled citizens would soon “swell the chorus of the Union” and the republic would be one nation, truly “at one,” and inspiringly indivisible.
Such is the power of an idea.