A Brief Political History

I have always loved the study of politics and history. I find the evolution of government a fascinating topic, especially when diplomacy (read: argumentation plus muscle) are involved. One of the most interesting transitions is the change from feudalism to constitutional monarchy or democracy in many Western European nations. This phase is a fundamental step in the establishment of national identity and sustainability.

With the recent events in the Middle East and North Africa, plus our own filibusters, health care reforms and economic woes, government has been on my mind. History is playing and replaying before our eyes: how many times have we seen dictators overthrown, to be replaced by others? On the other hand, how many times have we seen serfs rebel, establishing their own representative democracy? At some point it seems that every country reaches that decisive crossroad, wherein the level of representative power allowed to the people (the heart and soul of the country) determines the fate of that nation-state.

For the past few years I have been living under the unjust rule of Lord Ed's feudal cronies. His cronies, Vassal Exercise, Vassal Restriction, Vassal Achievement, and Vassal Control, have led me to believe that this whole feudal system was some sort of reciprocal, fair relationship. They "protected" me from outside pressures- those dangerous foreigners of Fun, Friendship, and Food. In return I devoted myself to their governance. I fed the Vassals with the fruits of my labor: my muscles, clear thinking, life's pleasures, and imagination. The system perpetuated itself. They protected me from the potential failure accompanied by risk and I continued to empower them. Without foreign influence, my food was bland, my mind ignorant, and my body crippled.

Somehow, foreign influence leaked in. Maybe it was the printing press, enlightening me with modernity? Maybe it was education, when I graduated from college and asked, "What now?" And maybe it was fatigue, being tired of being tired, of feeling worthless and fighting for my right to live in peace. Whatever the source, my peasants rebelled.

The civil war inside of me waged its most fierce during the week before and first week in treatment. Both the peasants and feudal lords gained and lost, pushing at one another with extreme intensity. There were faulty weapons and foreign influences and traitors and deaths. The blood-letting has subsided. Yet, the rebel troops have broken into two fronts, the Constitutionalists and the Liberals.

You see, having an eating disorder is living a life through rules and rituals. If I work out for this long, I can claim a successful day. If I go to bed at this time, I will feel great tomorrow. If I stand instead of sit, I will alter the way my weight gain feels.

Old habits die hard, and in treatment I've already created so many rules to live by. It is true that the old rules are losing ground, but my ritualism still demands attention. I find myself walking the same routes, choosing the same foods, trying to stand instead of sit, and more. The Constitutionalists support these sort of regulations. They demand that recovery be mandated. Yes, the rules are voted on by a representative body; unfortunately, those parties include former cronies from Lord Ed's crew. They tell me that I must be successful every day in treatment, that I must create rules to ensure this success, and that violation of these rules will lead to failure. Their intentions may be good but their system is a relic of the past. The peasants support the Liberals.

The Liberals don't believe that rules can dictate recovery. They use values to determine right and wrong, good and bad. Yes, there are restrictions and regulations; for instance, no side could argue that going for a run is a good idea right now. But they support flexibility. They want to allow the peasants to experiment, to grow and flourish, creating new national boundaries. They understand that Lord Ed will always have some sort of influence because no country is perfect. But there is a new, modern culture to be formed, and the more foreign influence the better. Liberals support immigration. They support amendments and modernity. And they will use social welfare to be sure all peasants have a chance.

Like all Liberals, my Liberals have the theory but lack the military. They could use some more weaponry, if Lord Ed decides to flex his monarchical muscles again. Fortunately, the Liberals have one key resource: treatment. A growth in foreign influence (Fun, Friendship, Food)will further stimulate the creative economy, creating a positive upward spiral. This is a new nation and it will surely suffer setbacks. But, from a historical perspective, it's well on it's way to democracy.