‘The pen is mightier than the sword’ was new member Suhan Srinivasan’s second debate; he noted that this sentiment has been expressed throughout the ages – from the Assyrian sage, Ahigar, to English author Edward Bulwer-Lytton in 1839. Although everyone can accept the might of weapons, we also acknowledge that the power of words can have a greater, more diverse and enduring influence than violence. Napoleon himself said “Four hostile newspapers are more to be feared than a thousand bayonets”. But while at times, said Suhan, weapons may be a better choice than verbal intervention – for example, in the Second World War - it is the written word that cements both peace and plans for a less turbulent future. When has the sword ever produced a lasting solution? Victory means imposing rules and regulations that have to be enforced by weapons. There can be no real victory without a strategy for peace, as the aftermath of war in Iraq has clearly demonstrated. The pen achieves lasting power – through literature, laws, education, history and civil society, leading to advances in living standards. Yet ironically, it is the pen that has made the sword more powerful, through the dissemination of weapons’ technology. The pen is more subtle than the sword and whereas people can be trained to use weapons, it takes great minds to wield the pen effectively. Of course, the pen can be used for evil purposes. Unscrupulous journalists may destroy careers and relationships. However, all power, written or otherwise, can be used for good or evil, and this debate, argued Suhan, is about comparative power, not morality. The pen has made invaluable contributions to the world; The United Nations; The European Union; the free press and democracy; the Treaty of Paris in 1783, ending the American War of Independence; the Congress of Vienna, leading to 100 years of peace in Europe after the Napoleonic Wars; the Treaty of Versailles and the end of the First World War; Mahatma Gandhi’s peaceful and highly successful fight for Indian independence. The pen is mightier than the sword – creating the laws that uphold our society, creating joy, peace and knowledge. The pen is constructive, created for the good of mankind, where the sword is limited by brutality and hatred; even when used to fight evil, it does so in a destructive way. The sword can only be part of human endeavour, whereas the pen, creating the beauty of poetry, lasting peace and prosperity, is an intrinsic part of our world. ‘Stuff and nonsense’ was opposer Richard Ackland’s opening salvo, saying the pen has never been, never is and never should be mightier than the sword. History amply illustrates the point: in 1066, the rivalry of William of Normandy and Harold Godwineson for the English throne was unequivocally determined by the sword. The Treaties of Troyes (1420) and Versailles (1919) were forced on 15th. century France and 20th. century Germany, but both failed to establish new regimes and paved the way for French victory against England at Castillon, and the rise of the Third Reich in the 1930s. Ultimately, it is often the sword that imposes peace! Richard then examined the rule of law. Society’s moral and legal codes are set out verbally or in writing – the work of the pen. But the pen cannot enforce the law; malefactors need to be constrained by the power of the police, the army – today’s manifestation of the sword. In this case, the sword’s strength is protecting and reinforcing the pen. But today’s pen – electronic media – has a global reach beyond anything we have known in the past and arguably threatens the supremacy of the sword. We know that e-media are intrusive, insidious and can be used to devastating effect for good or evil throughout the world. How can we control the global misuse of such potent weapons? Richard advocated strong international action to repel and even anticipate the worst excesses of our contemporary pen. He also noted the increasing trend to nationalism and protectionism – as in Brexit – that could undermine co-ordinated legal and other defences against malicious hackers. In conclusion, history clearly shows that when the pen and the sword come into conflict, the sword is the winner, overturning treaties, challenging laws, opposing both good and evil. While the pen may enshrine laws and customs, these can only be respected because the sword has the power to enforce them. The pen can often be mighty, but it is always mightier when the sword stands behind it as guardian and protector. We must agree, said Richard, that, contrary to the motion, the sword is mightier than the pen. The motion was won by 8 votes to 4, with 3 abstentions. The next meeting, the Society’s Christmas Party with balloon debate, will take place on <strong>Dec</strong>ember 17th. at 7.30 p.m. at the Old Coulsdon Centre. A new programme for 2019 will soon be available and will be published in the January edition of <strong>CR5</strong>. Meanwhile, the Society wishes all <strong>CR5</strong> readers a very Happy Christmas and a good New Year. 74 Log into www.cr5.co.uk your local community website!
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