Can Process Thought Inspire A More Hopeful Path?
If this is what our process perspective leads us to expect from the continuation of the present trajectory, the next question is whether process thought can suggest a more hopeful direction. We believe it can. We begin with the agreement that democracy, based on a recognition of basic human rights and a separation of powers, is the best form of government, in part because it has proven to be the only form capable of protecting its citizens’ basic rights. Saddam’s regime illustrated the fact that the concentration of power tends to lead to massive violations of human rights. As Reinhold Niebuhr, who was significantly influenced by process thought, said (in the language of his time): “Man’s capacity for justice makes democracy possible; but man’s inclination to injustice makes democracy necessary” (The Children of Light and the Children of Darkness, xiii.) Lord Acton made a similar point in famously saying that “power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” We agree, t
