fandomhigh | Nation Building and the Origin of Government, Period 5, Class 15, Thursday, 4-21

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Nation Building and the Origin of Government, Period 5, Class 15, Thursday, 4-21

Alex was sitting on the edge of her desk when the students filed in.

"So," she said. "I thought about giving a final, but I wasn't exactly sure what that should look like. Most of this class has been a thought experiment, where I was trying to challenge your preconceived notions about how government, quote-unquote, 'should' work. I was hoping you'd gain different perspectives from talking with classmates who had other experiences, and I think for the most part, that has been a success. At least, I hope so."

So far as she could tell from this end, anyway.

"There are a few questions on the papers I'm about to pass out, right now, but this isn't really a final in the typical sense. Be honest, answer the questions as well as you can, and don't feel that your grade is going to rest on the result."

And with that, she was handing out the sheets of paper, face-down.

"Once you've finished, you can go."

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With an alternate you. (Weetiny, reunion, AUs, whichever!)

Karla

Tahiri Veila

Faramir

Katniss Everdeen

Anduin Wrynn

Prince Alexander of Daventry

Warren Worthington III

Shira

Squall Leonhart

Bruce Wayne

Cara

Medusalith Amaquelin

Jack McCallister

Leia Organa

Be relieved there isn't a final, exactly.

How have your thoughts about governance changed as a result of this class? Please name one thing we discussed that you had not previously considered, or one issue that you have had a change of opinion on in some manner.

Katniss, in general, kept things short when presented with a test like this. Her answer was brief, but she was pretty sure it was all she needed to say.

I had thought, before this class, that governments were something to be feared. A governed nation is an oppressed one, where I am from, and the idea of a compassionate leader is little more than a pipe dream. Something I hadn't considered, though, was the idea that if things work out favorably for me, I won't have to lead. I have the choice to abdicate. I have choices.

Previously, I had not given as much thought to how criminals should be dealt with. When I become king, I will have to be sure to judge everyone fairly, and not let my emotions get in the way.

I hadn't really paid attention to all the little things government does to keep society functioning. Once I started considering them, it turned out that there were a lot more than I'd realized.

Jack wrote two and a half paragraphs on the differences between his perceptions of governance before the class and now.

If we were to start our thought experiment over, from Day One, right now, what, if anything, would you choose to have your fictional counterpart do differently, and why?

She might be a bit more wary, Katniss wrote, having to smile a little in spite of herself. Though I maintain that she'd simply surround herself with people more canny about things like 'proof' and the true weight of luxury items and welfare abuse, for I think my fictional counterpart might be a soft touch at times.

I would choose to appoint a successor and then abdicate.

Squall considered his answer, and then sighed and crossed it out. Instead, he wrote:

I would start including the citizens in the government earlier, so that they would be more prepared to take over once I've fixed their mess.

Jack again wrote a few paragraphs (it was hard to get rid of conventional school system habits) about grass roots campaigns and community involvement.

What do you feel is the most important trait for a good leader to have?

As a corollary, what do you feel the most important resource is, that a good leader can (and should) make full use of?

Their experience. Unless there is a monarchy -- in which case the experience must be gathered -- no one is born into leadership. A leader should have walked among her people, and seen what they all see, and known what it feels like to be ruled. A leader should not rule from where she can't see her own feet. She's ineffective unless she understands the mentality of those she leads.

The most important trait, going hand-in-hand with that idea, is compassion. A leader must understand and sympathize. There are times when harshness is needed, yes, but if you rule by force, all you're doing is proving you can't rule by words.

The most important trait a leader can have is strength. Not just physical strength, but strength of character as well, to be the kind of leader that people can look up to, not the kind that people follow out of fear.

Someone's idealism hadn't washed off yet.

The most important trait is the ability to plan and organize, and to deal with complicated situations. The most important resource is people you can trust.

Jack wrote about the ability to communication being the most important trait and that the leader's most importance resource would be the people around him.

If you could choose to be the leader of a small, independent country -- or if you could, instead, choose to pass on that particular responsibility -- which would you do, and why?

Pass.

It wasn't even a question.

If I have my life, I'd like to keep it mine. I'm no leader. There are those who'd be better suited than I am, and who'd want it more.

If I had the choice, I would pass the responsibility onto someone else. I would be quite content to advise the new ruler in any way I could, having been a prince, but I fear that I am not suited to be a leader, no matter how much thought I put into the idea. I would gladly hand over power to someone else who had our city's best interests at heart.

No. I don't want to.

Again, Squall sighed and grudgingly crossed out his answer.

Only if there wasn't anyone else who could do the job.

Jack wrote about it depending on the situation. If someone was doing a bad job of it, and he felt he could do better, then yes, he would choose to be the leader of a small country.

She's a Queen, after all.

A Queen juggling some important issues right now, too. Karla was so grateful for this class, because it had given her some food for thought.

But she was here in case anyone needed help!

Not a Queen. Just an ADA.

Sorry this is late: I overslept and had to flee for an afternoon appointment blahblahblah.

Thanks for being an awesome class.

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Nation Building and the Origin of Government, Period 5, Class 15, Thursday, 4-21

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