We Who Wrestle with God _ P.9

This episode explores the principle of subsidiarity as an alternative to tyranny and slavery, using the biblical story of Moses and Jethro as a case study. Against the backdrop of the Israelites' post-exodus struggles with self-governance, Jethro advises Moses to delegate authority, establishing a hierarchical structure of responsibility to prevent the re-establishment of tyranny and the temptation of egotism for Moses himself. More significantly, the episode delves into the psychological and social dangers of abandoning self-governance, highlighting the Israelites' immature dependency and the risk of reverting to a tyrannical system. For instance, the speaker analyzes Moses's own proclivity towards using force instead of persuasion, illustrating the dangers of unchecked power. The episode then connects this biblical narrative to modern political and economic thought, tracing the development of the subsidiarity principle from Thomas Aquinas to contemporary thinkers like Friedrich Hayek, and its application in various political systems. Ultimately, the speaker argues that a truly responsible and educated citizenry, empowered by a decentralized hierarchical structure, is the best defense against both tyranny and the chaos of unchecked individualism. What this means for contemporary society is a renewed emphasis on individual responsibility and the importance of properly structured hierarchies in fostering a just and productive society.