TIERS OF POWERHarnessing the Power of the

LesserBy Derek Wong

Howard Zinn’s Quote

“We have here a forecast of the long history of American politics, the mobilization of lower-class energy by upper-class politicians, for their own purposes. This was not purely deception; it involved, in part, a genuine recognition of lower-class grievances, which helps to account for its effectiveness as a tactic over the centuries.”

How the Tactic Worked in the American Revolution

Leading up to the revolution Americans were not all that happy with they’re government. They wanted CHANGE, the public mindset was that they were not being treated fairly and that they deserved better. When in this “stage” of revolution people are easily manipulated and used to the benefit of the higher-class.

How the Tactic Worked in the American Revolution Cont’d

However for the populace to be manipulated successfully the higher class must shed the odor of being a higher classed citizen. This means making personal sacrifices of their own. John Adams was both a higher classmen but also a man who knew of the rights every man should have, this combination made him a good member of the Boston Tea Party. Here is a Blog Post on why Adams was a prime specimen of a cool-headed politician. John Adams

How this Tactic Worked Cont’d

In the events leading up to the revolution, people grew restless and all the pent up energy was released occasionally when a British official was humiliated by being tarred and feathered, and/or humiliated in another way. The build up of anger and rebellious moods was not helped by the fact that the British were introducing things like the Stamp Act. The cool headed higher-class possibly sought to improve everyone’s lives by taking the same energy and directing it towards a collective and central goal: Revolution.

Video of what people did with anger before: hereEvents that Angered Americans: here"If taxes are laid upon us without our having a legal

representation where they are laid, we are reduced from the character of free subjects to the state of tributary slaves."  Samuel Adams

How this Tactic Worked Cont’d

The angry mob of Americans, when given a leader was a formidable force. All the fighting spirit that was misdirected before, now lead a common goal: Independence. The higher-classmen who knew how to use the spirit and energy of the masses were the ones who were made themselves like the soldiers, and strived to reach the same goal as the lower-class.

Video of what people did with energy after being given a goal and purpose: here

Source Of Quote

Howard Zinn has some very accurate and interesting insights to our history, that’s probably why his quotes are popular among the TALONS class. Howard who died very recently at the age of 87, was a gifted historian, he recognized how people came to power and how they fell from it. He must have realized that obviously the true power of a society rests on two things. The willingness of the average people and the ability of the leaders to re-direct the energy. This was seen as a pattern throughout history of empathetic and humble leaders leading the incited to a common goal.

Present Evidence of Howard Zinn’s Quote

There are examples even today of how higher classed or in this case the cool headed take the power. A example close to home would be the HST. Who really likes to pay taxes? This one was pressed upon us without a vote. Much like the acts pressed upon post-revolutionary Americans. The protestors of today are not all that different from the angry mobs before the American revolution.

Present Evidence of Howard Zinn’s Quote

All those petitions are all there because of people harnessing the power of the angry people. If everyone just yelled at the government that would not do as much as signing a petition that includes about half the population. The government if they do not want to go the same way as the British would have to give up.

Other less sensible higher classmen would fall into this description:

"It is to be regretted that the rich and powerful too often bend the acts of government to their selfish purposes." -- Andrew Jackson, U.S. President 1829-37