By Paul Weiser
There is little new in this world, particularly as it relates to people and power. Dictators arise, frequently with titles (Kaiser, Tsar, and Emperor) that trace back to the first: Imperator (Generalissimo) Julius Caesar.
One of that first Caesar's most annoying foes was Cicero - orator, lawyer, and frequently more honest and insightful than either occupation requires. When Julius Caesar finally won the Roman Civil War (round one) and had the old Republic at his feet, he forgave most of his enemies - even though he had law and precedent on his side to have them summarily executed. Among the forgiven was Cicero - who complained bitterly.
Did Cicero want to be exiled, crucified or simply thrown off the Tarpeian Rock to his death? Of course not. But he recognized that this clemency of Caesar was potentially more harmful, corrupt and corrupting than any proscription (outlawry by decree) or show trial. It demonstrated supreme, almost god- like self-confidence before which even his most powerful and committed opponents were impotent.
This - the power to set aside law, to repay hostility with indulgent disdain - is the essence of successful dictatorship. Hitler and the Soviets never mastered it: they had to have show-trials, concentration camps and secret mass-murder; they lacked self-confidence, always fearing the real authorities would appear to arrest them. Their nasty states lasted a dozen years, seventy at the outside; Caesar's imperium held sway for half a millennium. It is not those who punish arbitrarily, but who pardon whimsically that are most to be feared.
Which is not to say everything was lovely in Rome. A conspiracy of Caesar's pardoned enemies stabbed him to death, commencing round two of the Civil Wars. Quite early in which gadfly Cicero - satisfying his sense of the proprieties - was proscribed, caught by bounty- hunters and hacked to pieces.
None of Your Lib (NOLIB) is a weekly column, appearing
each Monday. Email responses and requests
to Paul Weiser
- be sure to specify in the body of the message that
your mail is to NOLIB. Some past articles are in the
NOLIB archives, and you are also invited to
visit
my home page. All responses
are appreciated,
and may be incorporated into succeeding columns in whole
or in part unless the sender requests otherwise. And of
course, the opinions expressed are those of the columnist and
may
not reflect the views or opinions of gte.net.