Friday, June 19, 2009

Today's opposition

In the Christmas Special episode ("Party Games") of my favorite British political comedy, "Yes, Minister", Sir Arnold, the cabinet secretary, remarks to Sir Humphrey Appleby that "today's opposition is tomorrow's government".

A word of wisdom.

Because human hearts are weak, there is a tendency to take the status quo for granted. But history tells us that what appear to be the opposition today is acually tomorrow's standard and establishment.

The question is, with which you identify yourself today, the opposition or the government. I am one who always thinks that it is more fun to identify with the opposition, not only in politics but in scientific and cultural domains as well.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

It is interesting that Sir Arnold compares the opposition to the government, because in some cases the opposition is just and the government is unjust. However, there are other cases where the opposition is unjust and the government is just. This is even the case in science, sometimes established science is right and wrong. Just because someone is the opposition should not give them the right to be tomorrow's leaders, especially if they are unjust/wrong.

And, why does there have to even be an opposition... Why can't we live in a world where we accept the differences in ourselves & others, practice being honest, and etc... Most would say that my opinions are naive but how can one judge an idea when they have not given it a chance.

Ken Mogi said...

Dear, Anonymous.

Thank you for your interesting comment!

As you say, the political frame of thought might be too confrontational. In a world of diversity it may not be clear at all who is opposing whom. Ideas could be judged by their own merits, case by case.