AN AESOP FABLE

(See this entry always in conjunction with the next one: Oneness And Allness.)
The title of this entry is deliberate, in so far as it has been permanently fixed into the structure of the section in which it has been placed. Needless to say this title will immediately lose its significance should this entry be seen independently from its specific location as a Collective item. This entry is particularly important to be seen as a part of a whole, as the fable itself is very well known and normally not associated with fascism or totalitarianism, but this association on my part singles it out, and accounts for every ounce of its palpable originality.

An old man on the point of death summoned his sons around him to give them his parting advice. Ordering his servants to bring in a faggot of sticks, he said to his eldest son: “Break it.” The son strained and strained, but with all his efforts was unable to break the bundle. The other sons also tried, but none of them was more successful.

“Untie the faggots,” said the father, “and each of you take a stick.” When they had done so, he called out to them: “Now, break!” and each stick was easily broken. “You see my meaning?,” said their father.

Here is a classic tale of golden antiquity which a fascist would say glorifies fascism and which a totalitarian would say glorifies totalitarianism.

What would a pluralistic multicultural democrat say, I wonder?