Nationalism and Old Politics: Between a Leviathan and a Rhinoceros

Staff Writer

Table of Contents

Let's write about nationalism and old politics using Leviathan and rhinoceros as symbolic creatures to drive home the message.

Introduction

In recent times, many different electorates from many countries have two choices in the bid to elect a leader: A President or a prime Minister. They must choose between Mr./Mrs. Leviathan and Mr./Mrs. Rhinoceros. Each choice has its implications.

The imagery of the leviathan and rhinoceros as imagined by the author are both interesting and powerful symbolism. The choice of either the Leviathan or the Rhinoceros can cause paradigm shifts in the people’s psyche, way of life, institutions, and domestic and foreign policies. It could be a choice to consolidate a nation’s political triumphalism for stability, integrity, freedom, and prosperity, and solidify its position in the world, through its institutions, values, and innovations or it could be a choice for reversals, backwardness, impulsiveness, chaos, and destruction.

Many times, in this stone age, nationalism spews out an old politics where elections are fought under the veneer of different competing party frames, in such abstract terms as ‘red vs blue’, ‘conservatism vs liberalism’, ‘north vs south’, ‘right vs left’, ‘make America great again’ vs ‘stronger together’, ‘Brexit means Brexit’ vs ‘Remain’, ‘Yes vs No’. Such political bait oftentimes influences the electorate's decisions and the nationalists’ bickering cliches often produce irresponsible candidates as the people’s representatives. The cliches and politiques notwithstanding, each party’s flag bearer, party leader, or presidential candidate drives the political bandwagon of either despair or hope, poverty or prosperity, oppression or freedom, inertia, or productivity.

In this writing, two powerful creatures will demonstrate the qualities and competencies of two inevitable choices. Drilling down the symbolism of both creatures and drawing out their differences may bring to the fore the political implications of each electorate’s vote in their different choice for a president or prime minister.   

The Leviathan

Leviathan is a creature quite biblical, and mythological and has been satirized by some authors, such as Thomas Hobbes, to describe the nature of society and the role of government. Among other things, Hobbes argues for the relevance of a centralized government to prevent chaos and instill peace and order.

Etymologically, the term leviathan can be said to originate from Hebrew, and the root לוה (lwh), meaning “twisted in folds.” Biblically, Leviathan is a sea serpent and is described in various pages of the scripture, such as the Psalms, Job, Isaiah, Amos, and Jonah. It is viewed as the toughest and most monstrous creature dwelling in the depths. Leviathan is used to describe chaos, destruction, and threat that was subdued by God when he turned the “tohu wa-bohu” into a cosmos.

For Christian theologians, among the group of vices, namely pride, greed, lust, envy, gluttony, wrath, and sloth, Leviathan is associated with envy. But this Leviathan was conquered again by the Cross of Christ by his heavenly virtues of prudence, justice, temperance, courage, faith, hope, and love.

Among different ancient traditions, the Leviathan was represented by different names. Among the Ugaritic people, it is a sea monster known as Lotan which was eventually conquered by the god Ball Hadad. It is likened to the Mesopotamian goddess, Tiamat who was conquered by Marduk.

Leviathan, as powerful as it might seem to be, is the most hated creature of destruction and chaos in ancient civilizations. Whichever sea it dwelt; the people invoked their gods to conquer it. Because it was conceived as a threat and constant danger to the people.

Mr./Mrs. Leviathan

When Leviathan becomes Mr./Mrs. Leviathan, either inherits all its attributes. Mr./Mrs. Leviathan is a creature of habit, who lacks forethought and self-control. The Latin has an adage that goes this way: “Nemo dat quod non habet.” This can be taken literally or legally; it depends on the way you view it.

Mr./Mrs. Leviathan cannot give justice they do not have, prudence, they do not have, temperance, they do not have or any other virtues. But one thing is sure. They will continue to unleash the one thing they do have: Envy.

Envy is a strong emotion of resentment against someone else’s qualities, possessions, good grace, status, achievements, and successes. As a result, the envier is consumed with a variety of negative thoughts and behaviours leading to anger, bitterness, and violence.

A choice of a Leviathan is a choice of forfeiture of freedom, peace, and justice and a subscription to chaos, destruction of values and institutions, and a threat to democracy.

The Rhinoceros

The name rhinoceros is derived from two Greek words: “rhino” meaning “nose” and “keras” meaning “horn.” Rhinoceroses are considered endangered creatures because of poaching and habitat loss. Both threats come from humans. First, human greed and the quest for wanton pursuit of wealth gave rise to the incessant illegal trade of rhino horns. Second, as humans clear more fields for agriculture and perhaps new homes, rhinos are displaced from their habitat.

The rhinoceros is a heavy and powerful creature. The white rhino of African species has a height between 5 and 6 feet and a weight between 3,080 and 7,920 pounds. That is approximately between 1,399.1 kilograms and 3,590.8 kilograms. It is a heavy creature. But it does not make noise about its size and weight.

According to Elise MacDonald, “Rhinos are highly paradoxical animals; they have strength but choose to be gentle and tolerant. They are lazy but can be aggressive as well. Above all, they look like carnivores but are pure herbivores. Rhinos represent kindness, gentleness, tolerance, and a sense of being grounded. On the other hand, they are also symbolic of authority, ancient wisdom, stability, comfort, and freedom.” The rhino is a creature imbued with rich symbolism across many cultures and beliefs.

For some African cultures, the golden rhino is considered a link between the land and its people to the point that the link is considered a sacred thread linking the land and the people. At the same time, in some parts of Africa, rhinos are killed, and their meat is served to the highest members of the tribe.

In ancient Chinese culture, rhinos could be used to concoct medicines that could relieve ailments such as headaches, fever, muscle pain, and broken ribs. They also used the horn of a rhino to test the presence of poison. As a mark of honour for the valiant, the skin of rhinos was used to make amour for the highest rank of soldiers during the rule of the Zhou Dynasty.

Rhinoceroses have great size and strength. One would imagine that a creature with such qualities would go about bullying and bulldozing every other animal on its path. Not the rhinoceros. It chooses to use its power in a non-violent style. This means the rhinoceros is gentle, kind, and forbearing. Rhinoceros teaches us that having power or enormous strength does not mean that you should oppress others or make life unbearable for the weak. The rhinoceros encourages humans to live in peace and mutual respect.

The rhinoceroses are considered among the oldest creatures on earth. They deserve respect and honour from humans. As such, they can be said to symbolize authority, wisdom, continuity, stability, and comfort. The rhinos bear lots of insults and that is why they have a strong equilibrium of strength and gentleness.  

The rhinoceros is a well-grounded and balanced creature. It cannot be shaken either by wind or tide. For some, it symbolizes freedom and difference and is well-connected to the earth. Besides, if anyone dreams about a rhinoceros, it could be interpreted as someone who requires physical strength, protection, and need for security.

Mr./Mrs. Rhinoceros

When the Rhinoceros becomes Mr./Mrs. Rhinoceros, they inherit all its qualities. Mr./Mrs. Rhinoceros is a creature of spontaneity. They can act on the spur of the moment without any preconceived notions. They are creative and are willing to take risks.

Mr./Mrs. Rhinoceros is old but makes a lot of sense. They squeak, moo, snort, and growl as expected of an old person, but they are stable, strong, gentle, kind, just, wise, and focused. They are grounded and have everything under control.

A choice of rhinoceros is a choice of justice, peace, calm, progress, continuity, prosperity, stability, comfort, and freedom.

Old Politics vs New Politics

Across the continents, from America to Europe, from Asia to Africa, and Australia, the trending phenomenon is old politics of an extreme type of nationalism that produces different conspiracy theories. In the United States, they call it woke culture, in Europe, some refer to it as replacement theory, in Africa some fundamental insurgent groups construe it as ‘Boko haram’, or ‘decolonialization of the continent’, in South America, it is conventional politics, and in the Middle East, it is the blurring lines between the states and terrorism. On every side are the ugly heads of pocket or wannabe dictators creeping in on the different political stages of many countries.

The old politics appeal to the illiberal minds and those who feel like Leviathan. The electorates of this right are always on the offensive and easily led to arms and violence to protect what they think is ‘dear’ to them.

As the old politics are being resurrected by some fanatical fundamentalists, new politics are sweeping different continents. New politics inspired by young and liberal minds challenges traditional politics and aims to fight for social justice, climate change, economic inequality, freedom for all people, and a safer world.

New politics can be likened to the rhinoceros. It is well-connected to the people, the grassroots, people with disabilities, the vulnerable, animal rights, the poor, and suffering. They fight corruption and corrupt leadership in all its ramifications using social media as a means of spreading information and their only weapon.

So, next time while at the poll, when you lift your finger to ‘ink’ a representative and vote, consider very well the choice you are about to make. Are you voting for a Leviathan or are you voting for a Rhinoceros?

Sources

“Rhinoceros Symbolism and Meaning (Totem, Spirit and Omens)” in Animal Hype by Elise MacDonald, https://animalhype.com/symbolism/rhinoceros/ Accessed 27/12/2023. 

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