Yes, but this was the basis of the “tyrant” concept - originally just a term, as Giver-of-Orders, Imperator, became Emperor. Process is fine when the status is quo - this is what process is for, and what it's designed for.
When it all drops in the pot, there's no time for such fiddle-faddle, and slavish adherence to it can be stupidly self-defeating. [Remember the supply sergeant who refused to release live ammo without the proper authorization and statement-of-intended-use form filled out and signed by the CO. A roolza rool - even if he had to shout to be heard over the Japanese bombs falling there on 7 December 1941, still a roolza rool!]
So you put someone in charge and give him literally overruling power, and sort out the mess later!
- This was, I'm sure you recall, the core funxction of Cordwainer Smith's “Lords of the Instrumentality” - they could do anything they deemed necessary to solve a problem, with the understanding that they would be killed for it if their solution didn't work out. If it worked, well, okay. “We can repopulate the planet later, when the weather systems calm down.”
The only reason this didn't work historically is that the tyrant felt no ethical obligation to step down again, but instead was a one-man Ratchet Effect. As Gen. A Haig said, “I'M in charge now!”
no subject
Yes, but this was the basis of the “tyrant” concept - originally just a term, as Giver-of-Orders, Imperator, became Emperor. Process is fine when the status is quo - this is what process is for, and what it's designed for.
When it all drops in the pot, there's no time for such fiddle-faddle, and slavish adherence to it can be stupidly self-defeating. [Remember the supply sergeant who refused to release live ammo without the proper authorization and statement-of-intended-use form filled out and signed by the CO. A roolza rool - even if he had to shout to be heard over the Japanese bombs falling there on 7 December 1941, still a roolza rool!]
So you put someone in charge and give him literally overruling power, and sort out the mess later!
- This was, I'm sure you recall, the core funxction of Cordwainer Smith's “Lords of the Instrumentality” - they could do anything they deemed necessary to solve a problem, with the understanding that they would be killed for it if their solution didn't work out. If it worked, well, okay. “We can repopulate the planet later, when the weather systems calm down.”
The only reason this didn't work historically is that the tyrant felt no ethical obligation to step down again, but instead was a one-man Ratchet Effect. As Gen. A Haig said, “I'M in charge now!”