【讀者分享】 回應結構 Vs 人性的討論 (Patreon)

The debate as to the relative significance of structures and individuals is akin to the age-old chicken-and-egg conundrum. The course of history and politics is shaped by the intricate interplay between individuals and structures. The creation and maintenance of all structures are the result of individuals’ actions. The nature of these structures, in the end, heavily hinges on factors such as culture, traditions, the vision of their founders, and the essence of humanity. Once a structure takes hold, it often appears immutable and exerts significant influence over the trajectory of historical development for quite a long time. When a long-standing structure undergoes collapse, typically as a result of successful revolutions through either radical means (eg. the French Revolution) or peaceful transitions (eg. the civil rights movement in the US), the consequent changes usher in new orders, systems and ideologies. Hence, individuals play a pivotal role in both the creation and dismantling of structures. However, significant historical changes remain relatively scattered across the overall timeline. In most cases, structures exert their influence by constraining the actions and choices of individuals, thereby shaping the trajectory of societies. Nevertheless, the aggregation of individuals’ behaviors gradually lead to incremental changes within societies before the next tipping point.   

There are numerous examples throughout history that can be studied to understand the interplay between individuals and structures. One such example is the Soviet Union, a contemporary-era regime whose ideology, political power and military prowess were largely comparable with those of the CCP today.   The Soviet Union was a powerful communist state that had a territory straddling across Asia and Europe, larger than the combined area of the US and Canada. Rich in natural resources, particularly natural gas (the world's largest reserves), oil (8th largest), and coal (2nd largest), and boasting a strong agricultural base with crops such as wheat, sugar, and potatoes, its economy operated largely in autarky. Under a rigid centralized structure, it controlled multiple republics for several decades and its science advancement was once seen in parallel with the US. The structure within this iron curtain, however, gradually eroded many societal aspects and chipped away at its economy over time. 

Internal dissent within the Politburo, bureaucratic inefficiencies, widespread discontent due to decades-long political heavy-handedness in both its mainland and its republics, stagnant economic growth that choked off the development of science and technology, and the yearning for Western values among its people, all played a crucial role in its eventual downfall.  There were also external factors that delivered critical blows to the Soviet Union's economic and political foundations. It is widely believed that they played a significant role in the overall dynamics leading to the demise of the Soviet Union. Among them were: the Soviet-Afghan War (1979-1989); the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI), also known as “Star Wars,” proposed by the Reagan administration in the 1980s, along with the arms race with the US and high defense spending during the Cold War; and the Revolution of 1989. Each factor resulted from its own political landscape and pertained to relevant individuals. The grueling war seriously drained resources and eroded public morale. The arms race strained the already fragile Soviet economy. The last one sparked off a revolutionary wave of liberal democracy movements that swept across the communist governments in the Eastern Bloc and eventually led to a dramatic change in the Soviet political system. This change resulted in a transition to a multi-party semi-presidential republic and ultimately led to the dissolution one year later.  

The reforms initiated by Mikhail Gorbachev in the last decade of the Soviet era, including glasnost (openness) and perestroika (restructuring), inadvertently led to increased demands for political and economic freedom. These growing demands, coupled with the actions of key individuals like Boris Yeltsin, culminated in the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the emergence of new independent states. The Russian economy was in a state of utter chaos after the fall of Soviet Union. Yeltsin then used the radical economic reforms known as “shock therapy” to the economy that ended upset unleashing hyperinflation. The mayhem of rapid privatization gave rise to the creation of Russian oligarchs and then paved the way for Vladimir Putin who later steered the country toward an autocratic political system. This new regime shortly laid bare the profound consequences of its transformative shift. Many conflicts and wars followed thereafter, including two Chechen wars (1994-96; 1999-2000), the annexation of Crimea (2014), the participation in the Syria civil war (2015-present), and the invasion of Ukraine (2022-present).   

The dissolution of the Soviet Union followed by the rise of Putin is a compelling example to demonstrate how individuals and structures interact in shaping historical and political developments. Despite the seemingly formidable and resistant nature of structures during the Soviet reign, the agency and actions of individuals eventually brought about a transformative impact after seven decades, leading to their disruption and ultimately influencing the trajectory of history.   History is composed of a series of occurrences where only a few individuals find themselves in the right place, with the courage fueled by religious and/or political beliefs, and the capability to make the right decisions at the right moment, thereby resulting in historical transformations.   

In the case of HK, Jimmy Lai and Chow Hang-Tung adhere steadfastly to their beliefs. They believe it is high time for someone to step forward and highlight injustice and absurdity in our inhuman structure. They are willing to bear their share of suffering in the loss of personal freedom and to embark on a quest for spiritual liberation. They feel disposed to make themselves a martyr to the cause of freedom. Their noble act exemplifies that courage is not expressed through the display of ire, but rather in the capacity to face challenges with fearlessness and perseverance.  

However, it remains to be seen whether, due in part to their sacrifice, historical transformations, or a complete overhaul, can sooner or later occur in a failed city or even in the regime of its overlord. In most cases, the actions of individuals can induce small changes, be they good or bad, across various aspects of society. Nevertheless, the impact of their cumulative effect over time should never be overlooked or underestimated. These individuals can be likened to the passionate guests who have been interviewed by Prof. Shen, each either providing assistance within their own areas of expertise to like-minded people or aiming to achieve specific objectives. They all agree that injustice can be perpetrated through inaction.  When examining the endless struggle between structures and individuals over the course of history, I realize that it is no simple task to conclusively determine which one holds greater significance. This question draws me into a profound contemplation, where I find myself immersed in thoughts that encompass personal emotions.   

In science, no great mind has ever existed without a groundbreaking idea that surpasses existing knowledge and seeks to unravel the beautiful secrets of nature. In history, no significant change has ever come about without a fierce determination to dismantle rock-solid yet corrupt structures. Both endeavors require individuals who embrace the mentality of “out with the old, in with the new” (in Maoism-fueled political movements, this concept was typically taken to a more radical or even violent extreme, often extolled as “shatter the old and establish the new” (大破大立)).   

Albert Einstein was undoubtedly a representative figure whose ideas revolutionized our long-standing perception of spacetime. It is worth noting that Einstein's ideas did not solely originate from his own. Instead, he was inspired by and formalized the ideas and works of other great minds (among others, Isaac Newton, James Maxwell, Albert Michelson, Edward Morley, Hendrik  Lorentz, Henri Poincaré, Bernhard Riemann) into a single groundbreaking theory of relativity.  Along the Taiwan Strait, political dissenters like Lai and Chow in HK can be seen in parallel with the late Shih Ming-Teh, often referred to as Taiwan's Mandela. Shih was one of the most prominent human rights defenders and political prisoners, inspiring many to make significant contributions to Taiwan's democratization. Likewise, Lai and Chow inspire many others to dedicate themselves to fostering cohesion among the HK diaspora and preserving the unique culture and values of HK.  

The development of both science and history shares a common ground: the necessity of extraordinary and determined individuals and their interactions, in favorable circumstances at opportune moments to bring about transformative shifts. Prior to this, individuals must stand on the shoulders of giants, looking forward and striving to move further, while passing down our knowledge, legacy and goals from generation to generation.  

The weight of the world's burdens can often leave me feeling desolate, especially when I gaze upon the grim reality of HK and the uncertain fates of Lai and Chow. From a rational viewpoint, I find it difficult to be optimistic about their situations, which are incomparable to that of Shih. Shih faced maltreatment by the then-ruling party, KMT. Though highly autocratic, the acts of the party still had to be conducted within the bounds of tolerance in the democratic standards of its big brother across the Pacific Ocean. In contrast, Lai and Chow now confront a ruthless and unbridled machine that comprehends humanity all too well, depriving them of their rights and crushing their will through any means necessary.  

Yet, even in the midst of this despair, a flicker of hope emerges within my heart when I am reminded of the existence of these remarkable souls—the best people who have a deep feeling of empathy, the bravery to face challenges without fear of deterrence, the willingness to take risks to do right things, the unwavering commitment to safeguarding their principles and values, and the capacity for self-sacrifice. It is in their presence that I find solace, for they guide us through the uncertainty, illuminating the path forward with unwavering determination even amidst the darkest of times.

▶️ 許田波教授：美籍港裔精英家庭「這十年來做過的事，能令你無悔驕傲嗎」？
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PAi2bWITGqs