Tao of Politics - #8 and 12

I am going to take these one or two at a time and consider political implications. Not all of them are very direct or specific. When i created the original list, i did so after only briefly scanning the chapters. So, hopefully they are all truly relevant.

#s 8 and 12 are two of the more vague references. In them i see basic elements of socialism. #8 speaks against competition. The supreme good acts to benefit all without trying to compete with it. "Only when there is no competition will we all live in peace." From an economic standpoint, this suggests a socialist order in which there is no competition, only cooperation. When people depend on each other for resources, rather than compete for those resources, there is peace. #12 gives an example of how this might play out... too much wealth causes crime. It is when there exist disparities of wealth that the have-nots seek to take that which is possessed by the haves. This is especially true considering that the Haves usually acquire their possessions on the backs of and at the expense of the have-nots. When we all have, but only have what we need, there is peace and harmony.

#12 might also make a statement about multi-party politics, which creates the 5 colors that blind the eye, so to speak. There is the concept of a non-party election system (formerly present in Uganda) in which individuals run on their own merits, as distinct, independent candidates. Perhaps this would be the preferable Taoist system. If this is the case, then perhaps the rest of this discussion is a bit moot. Regardless, this is not the US political system, so we shall continue.

8

The supreme good is like water,
which benefits all of creation
without trying to compete with it.
It gathers in unpopular places.
Thus it is like the Tao.

The location makes the dwelling good.
Depth of understanding makes the mind good.
A kind heart makes the giving good.
Integrity makes the government good.
Accomplishments makes your labors good.
Proper timing makes a decision good.

Only when there is no competition
will we all live in peace.

12

Five colors blind the eye.
Five notes deafen the ear.
Five flavors makes the palate go stale.
Too much activity deranges the mind.
Too much wealth causes crime.

The Master acts on what she feels and not what she sees.
She shuns the latter, and prefers to seek the former.