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1/ My research for #TheFieldOfBlood showed me something interesting about institutional dynamics.
In the antebellum Congress, one "team" blatantly broke rules, reveling in it & gaining power.
The other team upheld rules, scolding violators & insisting that rules be followed.
In the antebellum Congress, one "team" blatantly broke rules, reveling in it & gaining power.
The other team upheld rules, scolding violators & insisting that rules be followed.
2/ For the institutionally responsible, well-behaved team, following the rules was expected of them. It was part of their identity.
And when someone broke that rule of civility, they were roundly criticized for it -- by the routinely uncivil opposite "team."
And when someone broke that rule of civility, they were roundly criticized for it -- by the routinely uncivil opposite "team."
3/ This imbalance of institutional responsibility contributed to an imbalance of power
Bullies -- one team -- had more power.
Rule-followers -- the other team -- protested w/o punch.
Bullies -- one team -- had more power.
Rule-followers -- the other team -- protested w/o punch.
4/ Ultimately, a new breed of rule-followers arrived, and declared that they refused to be pushed around.
The balance of power shifted.
Though the end result was Civil War...
More to come!
I'm about to discuss this on "History Matters!" at 10 AM (ET)
http://NCHEteach.org/conversations
The balance of power shifted.
Though the end result was Civil War...
More to come!
I'm about to discuss this on "History Matters!" at 10 AM (ET)
http://NCHEteach.org/conversations
