The Importance of Process

     In Chapter 6 of American Ways, I observed that "When Americans cannot agree on conflicting ideals and interests, they resort to agreeing on a fair and equitable process to resolve their conflicts peacefully."  Since the earliest days of the colonies, Americans have asserted their individual ideals and interests.  They often butt heads with other individuals doing the same.  While Americans have enjoyed certain rights, they have never enjoyed the right to infringe the rights of other individuals.  Had there been no agreed-upon procedures to settle numerous conflicts among individuals, Americans would have fought and killed each other off a long time ago.
     Processes are extremely important to Americans.  Most Americans have followed the axiom "live and let live."  But to people with self-absorbed interests and absolute beliefs, the ends justify the means.  We see this often in the business world of high-competition and high-expectations.  Profits are what matter most to many business people and investors.  But they have to stay within the boundaries of the law and social acceptability or they risk alienating authorities and customers.  We also see people with uncompromising values who are willing to go to extremes regardless of who else gets hurt.
     To most Americans since the 17th century, however, the means justify the ends.  There are "right" and "wrong" ways to get things done, not just favorable or unfavorable results.  If you live according to the rules, then you are entitled to your gains, and those gains become protected under the law with broad community approval.  You are also respected by the community of other individuals.
     What do the concepts of fair and equitable mean?  "Fair" means that all parties in a dispute agree to a process by which to settle conflicts and then abide by the outcome.  In the eyes of many Americans, "fair" may relate more to the process than to the results.  If the process is run according to consensual rules, then you have to accept the results as fair even if they are not what you wanted.  Then, you just move on.  "Fair" also means that the process was run without trickery, corruption, or perversion of the rules.  Many times Americans have tried to bend the process to get their desired results.  Therefore, procedural knowledge and transparency are required.  For example, judges, lawyers, and law enforcement agents must understand the American system of justice.  And "equitable" means that all parties are treated the same with no biases based on political favor, power, wealth, or social standing.  That's the concept, at least.  Unfortunately, achieving the ideal is a continuous struggle in the practical world in which wealth and influence play such prominent roles in the day-to-day affairs of both business and government.
     Furthermore, the concepts of fair and equitable in the operation of peaceful processes apply to the most powerful person in the country, the President of the United States.  He or she cannot excuse any means to justify the ends.  The Constitution lays out a process for national government with limited powers and internal checks and balances.  Just as a judge in a court, the President has to know the proper institutional procedures and follow them with transparency.  In addition, the sensitivities of the American people based on generations of social processes must be respected, even in the technological world of social media.

(C) 2017 Stephen M. Millett (All rights reserved)