Which comes first, politics or culture?

CPT Jack Durish — Thu, 11 Jun 2020 13:14:18 -0400

"'Politics is downstream from/of (the) culture' means that the culture comes first and then the laws, not the other way around. Laws against slavery, for example, must be preceded by anti-slavery movements. A regulation that the culture is not ready to accept is doomed to fail."

-- Don Eberly

Sadly, it seems that many of us have gone astray confusing politics for culture

Don E. Eberly is an American author and researcher in the study of civil society. His publications make for good reading... (just sayin')

Response by SGT Edward Wilcox made Jun 11 at 2020 1:28 PM

SGT Edward Wilcox — Thu, 11 Jun 2020 13:28:19 -0400

I would agree. The culture must exist before the laws can be suggested and passed.

Response by CW5 Jack Cardwell made Jun 11 at 2020 1:56 PM

CW5 Jack Cardwell — Thu, 11 Jun 2020 13:56:42 -0400

Thanks for sharing.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Jun 11 at 2020 2:11 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Thu, 11 Jun 2020 14:11:05 -0400

Culture creates the context in which we all operate/live.
Politicians are elected from the body of people they represent. They aren't a separate species imported from another planet. If your people are amazing, your politicians will reflect. If your people are garbage, the politicians will reflect that as well.
People vote for politicians they feel align with their thoughts and beliefs. Your political body is simply a small microcosm of society as a whole. Little baby avatars of the people they serve.
We may not ever have the government we need, but we will always have the government we deserve.

Response by GySgt Gary Cordeiro made Jun 11 at 2020 2:44 PM

GySgt Gary Cordeiro — Thu, 11 Jun 2020 14:44:18 -0400

Thank you sir for expounding on this subject that is very close to my heart. Hawaii has a law that we “Show and spread Aloha” (Hawaii Law of The Aloha Spirit). That is part of my culture and a law. Both can be accomplished if it is based on the well being people.

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Jun 11 at 2020 3:19 PM

MCPO Roger Collins — Thu, 11 Jun 2020 15:19:08 -0400

Politics and culture are contradictions in terms. Going mean and nasty with politicians was fairly common, even to the degree of shooting each other.

Response by SPC Nancy Greene made Jun 11 at 2020 9:59 PM

SPC Nancy Greene — Thu, 11 Jun 2020 21:59:00 -0400

‘Politics’ & politicians only exist in society’ where ‘culture’ is advanced in its development...just my two cents

Response by CSM Ricky Forrest made Jun 16 at 2020 7:39 PM

CSM Ricky Forrest — Tue, 16 Jun 2020 19:39:28 -0400

Group Politics! And the topics are all over the place! Just Saying, After its all said n done, more always said than done!